The General Operations Force (PGA) Southern Brigade seized 400,000 sticks of untaxed white cigarettes worth RM813,000 and arrested a man during Op Taring Alpha 1 in Kampung Pulau Panjang last night.
PGA Southern Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the operation was carried out with the Kota Bharu police Criminal Investigation Department after patrol officers spotted two suspicious vehicles, a Proton Exora and a Nissan Grand Livina, at around 9pm.
He said the officers monitored the vehicles before following them to Kampung Pulau Panjang, where both drivers abandoned the cars and attempted to escape into nearby bushes.
However, a 29-year-old man was detained after a brief struggle, while another suspect managed to flee from the scene.
A search of both vehicles uncovered 40 large boxes containing 400,000 sticks of SAAT-brand white cigarettes believed to have been smuggled in without payment of tax.
Further checks found that both vehicles were fitted with fake registration plates, raising suspicion over their involvement in the illegal activity.
Initial investigations revealed that the cigarettes were allegedly being transported to Kuala Besut, Terengganu. The arrested suspect claimed he was paid between RM150 and RM200 for each delivery trip after collecting the vehicles, which were already loaded with the cigarettes, from Kampung Pauh.
The suspect also claimed he did not know the mastermind behind the operation and only communicated through the Buzz application.
The total value of the seizure, including the two vehicles, was estimated at RM813,000, comprising RM748,000 worth of cigarettes, a Proton Exora valued at RM35,000 and a Nissan Grand Livina worth RM30,000.
The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the Road Transport Act 1987.
