PETALING JAYA: Police seized contraband cigarettes worth about RM1.02mil in a raid under Ops Taring Alpha 1 at a house in Seri Kembangan on Wednesday night (Apr 22).
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) Bukit Aman commander Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said three locals, aged between 34 and 43, were arrested.
“The operation involved a team from WCB/PSK Bukit Aman, who found 5,111 cartons of cigarettes stored in various parts of the house, including the living room, bedrooms and a storage area,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Apr 23).
He said the operation crippled a syndicate believed to be involved in the storage, distribution and sale of illicit cigarettes around the Klang Valley and abroad.
“All three suspects have been detained and the seized items have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Serdang district police headquarters.
"The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession and storage of unpaid duty cigarettes,” he said.
He added that police will continue to intensify operations to curb the smuggling and distribution of illicit cigarettes in the country.
