KUALA LUMPUR: Four men were arrested while unloading untaxed cigarettes from a six-tonne lorry into three vans, a one-tonne lorry, and a car at a car park in front of Kepong Commercial Park here on Monday.
The arrests led to the seizure of more than three million sticks of untaxed cigarettes worth over RM6 million in Op Taring Alpha 1.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the 6.50am raid followed intelligence gathered by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) of Bukit Aman’s KDNKA, in collaboration with the Sentul district police headquarters.
“The operation was launched following information on the unloading of suspected untaxed cigarettes at the car park in front of Kepong Commercial Park.
“Inspection of six vehicles led to the arrest of four local men, aged between 31 and 44, and the seizure of various items, including 3,460,000 sticks of cigarettes, three vans, two lorries, a Hyundai Starex car, and eight mobile phones of various brands.
“The seized cigarettes are estimated to be worth RM6,228,000, while the total value of items confiscated in the operation is estimated at RM9,526,400,” he said in a statement today.
Azmi said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. The operation was carried out to curb the trade, storage and sale of untaxed cigarettes around Kuala Lumpur.
He said the success of the operation demonstrated the continuous commitment of the police to combat smuggling and the sale of contraband goods.
“From Jan 1 to Oct 26 this year, WCB/PSK Bukit Aman carried out 218 raids nationwide, arresting 394 individuals for various offences, including smuggling of contraband goods, leakage of controlled and subsidised items, sale of imitation weapons, wildlife smuggling, and e-waste operations.
“The total estimated value of seizures during the period is RM690.32 million,” he said.
Azmi added that the police will continue to intensify intelligence and operations to trace and combat smuggling activities more effectively to ensure public safety and order.
“The public is also encouraged to channel information to the police to help eradicate such criminal activities,” he said.
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