IPOH: Contraband cigarettes and liquor were seized in three separate raids in Pengkalan Hulu and Gerik on Thursday (Aug 6).
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said four suspects, comprising two men and two women, all locals aged between 36 and 57, were also detained.
He said the raids were conducted under “Ops Kontraban Mega” as part of the Perak police’s efforts to curb smuggling and the distribution of untaxed goods.
“In the first raid, police raided a business premises in Jalan Taufil, Pengkalan Hulu, and found various types of liquor and cigarettes suspected to be untaxed stored underneath a rack containing grocery items.
“Two local women, aged 57 and 44, were detained to assist investigations, and the seized items were estimated to be worth RM32,117, comprising liquor worth RM3,917 and cigarettes worth RM28,200,” he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 7).
He said in the second raid at a business premises in Jalan Iskandar, Pengkalan Hulu, police found various types of liquor and cigarettes suspected to be untaxed in a storeroom.
“A 36-year-old local man, who was the premises owner, was detained.
“The seizure was estimated to be worth RM32,694.80, comprising liquor worth RM10,154.80 and cigarettes worth RM22,540,” he added.
Comm Mohd Alwi said in a separate operation in Gerik, police stopped a car where the driver was acting suspiciously at Jalan Kampung Padang Kunyit.
He said a check of the vehicle uncovered 100 cartons of cigarettes suspected to be untaxed.
“A 39-year-old local man was detained for further investigation,” he said.
He added all three cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Comm Mohd Alwi said all seized items would be handed over to the Malaysian Customs Department for further action and also sent to the Chemist Department for analysis.
“The contingent would continue to intensify enforcement operations against smuggling and the distribution of untaxed goods.
“Strict action will be taken against anyone found to be involved in such activities without compromise,” he said.
He also urged members of the public with information on smuggling or other criminal activities to contact the nearest police station to assist police in combating crime.
