Seven arrested in biggest illegal cigarettes haul worth whopping RM4.2m

The seized contraband worth RM4.2 million

SIBU, March 13: The 10th Battalion General Operation Force here has made the biggest seizure this year in contraband cigarettes worth RM4.2mil.

They had also arrested seven men including four locals and three Indonesians, aged between 17 to 53.

State General Operation Force commander, SAC Mancha Ata said the seizure and arrest of the suspects were made during a raid at 11.45am on March 11 on a house at Jalan Upper Lanang here.

“During the operation code name Ops Kontraband/Ops Libas, the enforcement team found a total of 130 cartons of contraband of various brands of cigarettes (5.1mil sticks),” he said.

SAC Macha said Customs duty was not paid for the seized contraband.

The culprits can be charged under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967. The case had been referred to the police for further action.

“From Jan 1 to March 11, we had seized RM9.2mil of contraband from a total of 12 cases statewide. A total of 19 men (14 locals and 5 Indonesians) were arrested,” he added. -DayakDaily