KUALA LUMPUR: Two major syndicates involved in smuggling and distributing vapes and cigarettes worth nearly RM13mil have been crippled in separate joint operations in Selangor.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the operations, codenamed Ops Taring Alpha 3 and Ops Taring Alpha 1, were carried out by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) in collaboration with several enforcement agencies.
Ops Taring Alpha 3, he said, was conducted on July 28 and targeted premises in Batu Caves believed to have been used as a storage and distribution centre for vape products.
“The raid led to the inspection of five individuals and the seizure of 131,036 boxes of vape products, 4,900 bottles of vape liquid and 25,510 electronic cigarette devices worth an estimated RM9.4mil,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He added that investigations indicated the products were believed to have contravened the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order, the Trade Descriptions Act and the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act.
The suspects and seized items were handed over to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Gombak District Health Office for further investigation.
In Ops Taring Alpha 1, Comm Mohd Yusri said police raided premises in Puchong on July 27 used to store and distribute duty-unpaid cigarettes, arresting three local men believed to be managing the syndicate’s operations.
“We seized 166 cartons containing 1.66 million sticks of smuggled cigarettes, with the haul estimated to be worth RM3.306mil.
“The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act.”
He noted that the WCB/PSK had intensified intelligence-led operations against contraband smuggling and transnational crime since the beginning of this year.
From Jan 1 to July 31, WCB/PSK recorded 236 cases, arrested 411 individuals and seized contraband worth RM280.4mil.
During the same period, Ops Taring Alpha 3 recorded 11 cases involving five arrests and RM9.5mil in seizures, while Ops Taring Alpha 1 yielded five cases, 10 arrests and seizures worth RM6.1mil.
“This success proves that intelligence-led enforcement and strategic cooperation with agencies like Customs and ministries have strengthened efforts to dismantle organised smuggling syndicates.”
Comm Mohd Yusri stressed that police would not stop at arrests and seizures alone but would also identify, track and dismantle the entire syndicate network.
“This includes going after the masterminds through integrated intelligence gathering, investigations and enforcement.”
