JOHOR BARU: Police dismantled a smuggling syndicate's operation with the seizure of RM725,324 worth of contraband cigarettes and alcoholic beverages in operations conducted Masai and Tampoi on Wednesday and Friday.
In the 7.30pm raid on Wednesday at a premises-turned-unlicensed storage facility in Taman Megah Ria, Masai, a 39-year-old man was arrested, and 70 cartons of alcoholic beverages worth RM60,324 were seized.
Meanwhile, in the Friday raid at 9.30pm, state marine police officers inspected a five-tonne lorry along Jalan Persiaran Aliff Harmoni Utama, Tampoi, and discovered RM665,000 worth of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
The lorry was seized and two men, aged 23 and 29, were arrested.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the raids were conducted following intelligence gathered by the state marine police's intelligence unit.
The suspects are expected to face charges under the Customs Act 1967 for smuggling goods without paying duty.
He added similar raids will be conducted from time to time against those involved in smuggling and selling untaxed alcohol and cigarettes.