JOHOR BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) arrested a 35-year-old man for possessing contraband cigarettes worth more than RM300,000 during a raid in Johor Jaya in Pasir Gudang here.

       GOF 5th Battalion commanding officer Supt Dimin Awang said the suspect was acting as a storekeeper and was arrested at premises in Jalan Dedap 36, at about 5.45pm on Tuesday (Sept 22).

       “An inspection inside the premises found 1,806 cartons of various brands of smuggled cigarettes worth RM339,054.

       “Our investigations also revealed that the premises was used as a temporary store for the illicit cigarettes before it is sold to locals around Johor Baru,” he said in a statement here Wednesday (Sept 22).

       Supt Dimin added that police have also confiscated a car, a mobile phone and cash worth RM330.

       “The suspect has been brought to the Seri Alam police headquarters for further investigation,” he said, adding that the syndicate is believed to have been in operation for less than a year.

       The case is being investigated under Section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967 for smuggling.

       Supt Dimin added that the arrest has also brought down one of the syndicates that distributed untaxed cigarettes in Johor Baru.