BATU PAHAT: A 34-year-old man was arrested by the General Operations Force (GOF) after he was caught red-handed distributing illicit cigarettes at Jalan Sungai Buluh, Minyak Beku, here.

       GOF 5th Battalion commanding officer Supt Dimin Awang said his team confiscated the cigarettes and a vehicle worth more than RM45,000 during the arrest around 1.10pm on Saturday (Oct 30).

       “We have managed to seize 30 cartons of cigarettes from the suspect that were stored inside his car.

       “Early investigations revealed that the suspect was believed to be responsible for supplying untaxed cigarettes to sundries stores around Batu Pahat,” he said in a statement here on Sunday (Oct 31).

       He added that the total confiscated items are worth around RM45,298.

       The suspect and the seized items have been brought over to the Batu Pahat police headquarters for further action.

       The case is investigated under Section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession of illegal goods.