IPOH: Police have arrested a 48-year-old Pakistani man with permanent resident status and seized 100 cartons of suspected contraband cigarettes worth RM36,000 in Tanjung Malim.
Muallim OCPD Supt Khalid Mohamad said police detained the man, who operates a grocery shop in Kangar, Perlis, after spotting a suspicious black sport utility vehicle (SUV) along Jalan Douglas at about 1pm on Saturday (Sept 26).
He said a team from the Intelligence/Task Force Branch of Battalion 3 Bidor, conducting Op Taring Alpha 1, then inspected the vehicle.
"Two large brown boxes were found in the rear luggage compartment.
"Checks revealed that they contained 100 cartons of branded cigarettes suspected to be smuggled and without valid Customs duty stamps," he said in a statement on Sunday (Sept 27).
Supt Khalid said police also seized the vehicle for investigation.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
"The seized items will be handed over to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Chemistry Department for analysis," he said.
Supt Khalid added that Perak police would continue enforcement operations against the smuggling and distribution of untaxed goods.
He urged anyone with information on smuggling or other criminal activities to contact the nearest police station.
