KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Police, operating through the General Operations Force (GOF), successfully executed a raid resulting in the seizure of cigarettes valued at an estimated total of RM5,098,760, including taxes.
According to Sarawak GOF commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, the operation, dubbed Op Taring Alpha 1 and conducted on March 21, saw the confiscation of cigarettes with a total value of RM4,958,760, along with a vehicle valued at RM140,000.
“Between approximately 2pm and 4.30pm, a team conducted two separate raids and inspections in and around Kuching and Matang, suspected to be storage sites for untaxed cigarettes,” he said in a statement.
“During these raids, the enforcement team successfully apprehended a 27-year-old man. Further inspection revealed a total of 12,782 cartons (2,556,400 sticks) of white cigarettes and 505 cartons of various brands of kretek cigarettes stored in a shop and a vehicle.”
The seized items were handed over to the Crime Investigation Division of the Kuching and Padawan District Police Headquarters for further investigation and action. This constitutes an offence under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Overall, throughout the operation from Jan 1 until March 21, the GOF has recorded successes amounting to RM27,821,368.50, with a total of 46 cases involving 85 individuals (48 locals and 37 foreigners) apprehended, as well as 37 various types of vehicles seized.
