A 39-year-old woman and her 31-year-old Pakistani husband were detained yesterday following the discovery of illicit cigarettes worth nearly RM37,000 in Kampung Binjai Manis.
The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade said the raid was conducted at about 5.15pm by officers from the Eighth Battalion following a tip-off.
GOF commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said officers initially spotted the couple behaving suspiciously outside a house along Jalan Beris Kubor Besar.
After identifying themselves, officers inspected the pair and questioned them, with both admitting they had rented the premises.
A search of the house led to the discovery of 19,000 sticks of white cigarettes and 600 sticks of kretek cigarettes believed to have been smuggled.
The couple were arrested and taken to the Kota Bharu district police headquarters for further investigation.
Initial findings suggested the woman had rented the premises and a storage space to sell the contraband goods.
Investigations also indicated the couple were working for another Pakistani national, allegedly supplying untaxed cigarettes to several retail outlets in the area.
The male suspect was believed to be responsible for delivering and storing the cigarettes in exchange for a monthly payment.
Authorities further revealed the cigarettes were allegedly supplied by a Chinese man known only as “Chu”, who would deliver the items at night using a car.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
