GOF breaks supply chain for illicit smokes in Kluang

KLUANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized 2,760 cartons of illicit cigarettes from a syndicate that is believed to have been in business for three months.

GOF Battalion 5 commanding officer Supt Dimin Awang said they arrested two men, both aged 32, during the raid on a house along Jalan 3/1 in Taman Sri Permai here at 2pm on Sunday (April 24).

“We seized various brands of cigarettes smuggled into Malaysia from a neighbouring country,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 25).

Supt Dimin added that the two suspects were caught in the midst of carrying the cigarettes into the house, believed to have been used as a store for contraband.

He said the total value of the cigarettes was RM216,480, with unpaid taxes amounting to RM336,441.

“Besides the cigarettes, GOF also seized two vehicles during the operation as well.

“The suspects and the seized items have been handed over to the police for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967,” he added.

Supt Dimin said the raid had broken the supply line for illicit cigarettes in the district.

He urged those with information on illegal activities such as smuggling of contraband items and human trafficking to contact the GOF Battalion 5 hotline at 07-755 7280.