KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 50,000 sticks of cigarettes suspected to be untaxed with a value of RM93,500, during a raid on a house in Kampung Gong Serapat, Pasir Puteh, last night.
A 36-year-old Pakistani national was also arrested during the operation, which took place about 8pm on Nov 14 as part of Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain said today that the total value of the seizure is estimated at RM125,000.
This includes a grey Nissan Grand Livina valued at RM30,000 and a mobile phone worth RM1,500.
He said the cigarettes were discovered inside several sacks in the rear of the vehicle at the scene.
“The operation was carried out by a team from the Strike Force of Company A, 7th Battalion of the GOF (based in Kuantan, Pahang), with assistance from the battalion’s intelligence unit,” he said.
He said the suspect had been living in Malaysia for nearly 13 years, was married to a Malaysian woman and had four children.
Radzi said the suspect is believed to have obtained the untaxed cigarettes from an unidentified local man in the vicinity of Melor, Kota Baru, through an intermediary known as ‘Ubai’, with orders placed based on demand.
He added that the suspect and all seized items have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Pasir Puteh district police headquarters.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.