TUMPAT: The Kelantan Customs Department seized about RM151,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes, believed to have been brought in from a neighbouring country.
Department's director Mohd Rakbi Mat Saud said a 41-year-old man was arrested in the operation at a premises in Pengkalan Chepa industrial area on Saturday.
He said the seizure, the biggest by the state Customs so far this year, was made following public tip-off.
"A team of Customs officers went to the area at about 7.50pm after receiving information on smuggled items being kept in the premises. After inspection, they discovered 9,450 cartons containing cigarettes of various brands.
"They then detained the owner of the premises to facilitate investigations," he said at a press conference here today.
Rakbi said initial investigations showed the cigarettes with unpaid duty of more than RM1 million, were to be distributed to local suppliers.
"Our investigation also revealed that the premises is used as a temporary store by the smugglers before sending the items to the suppliers in stages," he said.
He added the man who is a local, would be held for further investigations.