Smuggled cigarettes worth about RM4 million seized

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Customs Department seized almost six million sticks of smuggled cigarettes worth about RM4 million recently.

The seizures were made in three separate operations carried out in Pasir Mas, Bachok and Kota Baru.

The department's director Mohd Nasir Deraman said operations were held between March 28 to April 14.

In the first operation on March 28, he said the department seized 265 boxes containing various types of cigarettes valued at about RM1.7 million.

"The operation was held at a house in Kampung Pasir Pekan near Pasir Mas about 2.30pm.

"The second operation at Tanjung Pauh near Bachok was conducted on April 10 where we seized 1.48 million sticks of cigarettes worth about RM118,400," he said in a statement.

He added that the latest operation was held last Thursday (April 14) at Kampung Pantai Mek Mas in Kota Baru.

"In the 5.45pm operation, we seized 1.7 million sticks of cigarettes," he said.

However, he said no one was arrested during the three operations.

He said the cigarettes, including those with unpaid duty, were believed to have been smuggled to Kelantan from a neighbouring country.