Kelantan: The Kelantan Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has successfully seized 1.95 million cigarettes of various brands valued at RM1.37 million, including duty and tax, during their operations dubbed Ops Asap Cino.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan JKDM's director, Mohd Hisham Mohd Nor, reported that the operation involved two raids conducted on August 1 in Kampung Pauh 9, Tawang, Bachok. During the first raid, officers discovered a Hino lorry at 10:30 pm loaded with 1.701 million cigarettes concealed in 74 boxes. The cigarettes were camouflaged using white sacks filled with coconut husk, with a total value including duty and tax of RM1.194 million, while the lorry itself was estimated to be worth RM150,000.

Further investigations led to the discovery of a Toyota Unser vehicle containing 253,600 cigarettes valued at RM178,027.20, including duty and tax. The vehicle, which was also seized, was reportedly worth RM15,000.

Mohd Hisham explained that the syndicate involved is suspected of utilizing a river near the Malaysia-Thailand border to smuggle the cigarettes into the country, subsequently transferring them to vehicles for distribution outside Kelantan.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. This section provides for a fine ranging from a minimum of 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000 to a maximum of 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000. It also includes the possibility of imprisonment for a period between six months and five years.