BATU PAHAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) arrested a 39-year-old man for possessing contraband cigarettes worth more than RM200,000 during a raid at Parit Yaani in Yong Peng, here.

       GOF 5th Battalion commanding officer Supt Dimin Awang said the suspect was arrested at a premise in Lorong Hajah Saonah, Kampung Parit Banyu Mas at about 6pm on Sunday (Aug 29).

       “(An) inspection inside the premises found 1,293 cartons of various brands of smuggled cigarettes worth RM234,306.

       “Investigations revealed that the premises are a temporary store for the contraband before it is sold to the locals around Batu Pahat and Yong Peng,” he said in a statement here on Monday (Aug 30).

       The suspect has been brought to the Batu Pahat police headquarters for further investigation.

       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 Batu Pahat and Yong Peng.