Pasir mas: The Eighth Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) seized 90,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM262,000 in two separate operations under Op Taring carried out yesterday and today. GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain reported that the latest operation, conducted at 12.30 am today, led to the discovery of an abandoned vehicle in Kampung Padang Jelapang Lati, Pasir Mas, believed to have been used by smugglers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, checks on the vehicle revealed 50,000 sticks of untaxed cigarettes valued at RM140,000. Ahmad Radzi stated that the driver fled on foot upon noticing the police presence, leaving behind several boxes of cigarettes intended for the local market.

The seizure also included a vehicle, which has been handed over to the Pasir Mas district police headquarters (IPD) for further action. The case is currently being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Radzi noted that another 40,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM122,000 were confiscated near the Caltex Padang Enggang petrol station in Kota Bharu at 11 pm yesterday. This seizure also involved a vehicle and has been transferred to the Kota Bharu IPD for further investigation under the same section.