MELAKA: State police discovered a new tactic of tobacco smuggling after a local smuggler spilled the beans on how he gets instructions from a Singaporean to distribute contraband cigarettes to smokers in the Klang Valley.

       Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said his officers were investigating the modus operandi to smuggle the contraband items following the arrest of a 39-year-old on Wednesday (Feb 16) at Ayer Keroh here.

       "The suspect, who works as a technician, was trying to exit Melaka via the expressway when a police car on patrolling duty stopped his car.

       "Upon inspection, 492 cartons of illicit cigarettes worth RM40,000 were found hidden in the car," he said on Thursday (Feb 17).

       ACP Christopher said the suspect was involved in the illegal activity since October last year and that he followed the instructions of a caller using a Singapore-registered mobile phone to travel from Kuala Lumpur to a parking lot at Malim here.

       He said the suspect also told police that he used a duplicate key of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was parked there and drove it to Kuala Lumpur.

       "The suspect will be paid RM200 for each trip and must enter the Sungai Besi toll plaza before getting the payment," he said.

       ACP Christopher said the suspect would then get new instructions from the syndicate on the exact location to deliver the contrabands.

       "The contrabands will be delivered to grocery outlets throughout the Klang Valley," he said.

       ACP Christopher said investigations were still ongoing to determine whether a transboundary smuggling syndicate is involved.

       He said police had seized the MPV and remanded the suspect to assist investigations under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act.