GEORGE TOWN: A 62-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly possessing 1,984 cartons of contraband cigarettes worth RM275,000 at Jalan Bagan Serai here.

       George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said the suspect was arrested during a raid under Ops Kontraban at a house there at about 7pm on Monday (March 14).

       "In the raid, the man was detained after police found multiple brands of untaxed cigarettes in the house," he told a press conference at George Town police headquarters.

       ACP Soffian said the operation was conducted by the district Criminal Investigation Department and Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department.

       He said the suspect and the seized items were brought to George Town police headquarters for further investigation.

       He said police also confiscated a bunch of house keys and a receipt book during the raid.

       He said all confiscated items will be referred to the Customs Department to check the authenticity of the tax stamps and the total unpaid tax.

       ACP Soffian said further investigations found that the suspect had been working as a delivery man for the syndicate for about five months and was paid a salary of RM3,000.

       "The suspect lived in the house and at the same time was responsible for guarding the items.

       "We also believe that the house was rented for the sole purpose of storing the contraband items," he said, adding that the suspect was remanded for seven days until Monday (March 21).

       ACP Soffian said police had identified another suspect, part of the same syndicate, believed to have rented the house.

       The case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession or sale of smuggled cigarettes.