Three foreign nationals were arrested while smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated RM769,480 were seized during a raid at a house in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru, on Wednesday night.
The operation, conducted at about 10pm under Op Taring Alpha 1, involved officers from the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) of the Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) Bukit Aman, with assistance from the Johor Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
WCB/PSK commander Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said those arrested comprised two Bangladeshi men, aged 26 and 49, and a 51-year-old Indonesian woman.
A search of the premises uncovered 292,000 sticks of suspected duty-unpaid cigarettes of various brands, along with a Proton Exora parked at the location.
Mohd Zaki said the total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, was estimated at RM769,480, while the cigarettes themselves were valued at RM744,480.
He said the operation successfully dismantled a syndicate believed to be involved in storing and distributing illicit cigarettes around Johor Bahru.
Initial investigations found that the group had been using the residential property as a storage facility before distributing the cigarettes to the local market.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Mohd Zaki added that authorities are continuing efforts to track down the alleged mastermind behind the syndicate, who remains at large.
