Kuala lumpur: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) seized smuggled cigarettes and electronic cigarette (vape) products worth more than RM12.7 million in a series of raids in the Klang Valley, bringing the total seizures recorded so far this year to RM280.4 million.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri stated that the latest success was achieved through Ops Taring Alpha 1 and 3 integrated operations conducted on July 27 and 28. In the Ops Taring Alpha 1 raid at a premise in Puchong on July 27, police arrested three locals and seized 166 boxes containing more than 1.6 million sticks of John JDB-brand cigarettes worth about RM3.3 million, believed to be untaxed.
Mohd Yusri highlighted that in Ops Taring Alpha 3 on July 28 at a premise in Batu Caves, police arrested five individuals and seized various vape products worth RM9.4 million. The seizure comprised 131,036 boxes of Salthub Zero vape products, 4,900 bottles of vape liquid, and 25,510 units of devices of various brands, estimated to be sold at market prices ranging from RM50 to RM400 per unit.
The suspects and seized items have been handed over to the relevant agencies for investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, the Trade Descriptions Order 2022, Trade Descriptions Act 2011, and Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. Initial investigations revealed that the smuggling syndicate's modus operandi involved false declarations at entry points to mislead authorities when attempting to bring in contraband goods. Most of the contraband items were smuggled in from China via sea routes before being stored at premises used as warehouses around the Klang Valley for distribution to retailers in the local market.
Commenting on the department's overall performance, Mohd Yusri noted that the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) recorded 236 cases and 411 arrests nationwide between Jan 1 and July 31. The outstanding achievement, with total seizures reaching RM280.4 million, demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement carried out in collaboration with various enforcement agencies.
He emphasized that the KDNKA's main focus will not stop at seizure operations but will continue to track and dismantle the entire syndicate network, right up to the masterminds. Mohd Yusri also warned that PDRM would not compromise with any party, as smuggling and illicit trade crimes result in revenue leakage for the country and threaten public order.