SEREMBAN: Police seized contraband cigarettes worth some RM1.7mil and cash totalling almost RM550,000 during a sting operation at four residential areas here.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop said 12 suspects, aged from 18 to 29, were arrested during the raids.
"We seized 474 boxes containing 50 cartons of various brands of cigarettes, as well as four vehicles, which we believe were used by the syndicate members.
"Initial investigations showed the syndicate had been supplying the contraband cigarettes to traders in the state for the past six months," he said in a statement on Friday (May 8).
He said police first arrested a 25-year-old man at a house in Vision Homes in Seremban 2 on May 5 and seized 50 boxes of cigarettes, kept in an SUV.
The suspect then led the raiding team to another house in Taman Bukit Kepayang where members of the syndicate were believed to have been staying.
"We found RM547,153 hidden in a bag, two cash counting machines and 24 mobile phones.
"Eleven suspects were detained there," he said.
DCP Mohamad said in a follow-up operation, police raided another house in Park Avenue, which was believed to have been used to store the illegal cigarettes to be sold in Seremban.
He said police seized 135 boxes of cigarettes of various brands.
He added that the raiding team was led to another house in S2 Heights where another 289 boxes, of cigarettes were stored.
He added that the raiding team was led to another house in S2 Heights where another 289 boxes, of cigarettes were stored.
DCP Mohamad said the case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act for possessing or selling goods yet to be approved by Customs.
All suspects have been remanded until May 11. - Star
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