JOHOR BAHRU:Police seized 41,800 cartons of smuggled cigarettes and two lorries, all worth about RM6.66 million inclusive of duties, in two raids here yesterday.

Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the seizures were made by the region two marine police here.

The two lorry drivers, aged 45 and 48, have been remanded for three and six days respectively from today, he told a press conference at the region two marine police headquarters today.

"We believe the cigarettes were meant for markets in Johor and other states. This is our biggest seizure of cigarettes this year,” he added.

Ayob Khan said the syndicate was no longer storing the contraband cigarettes at warehouses in Johor in a bid to avoid detection.

After being smuggled in by sea in the east coast from a neighbouring country, the cigarettes would be immediately transported by lorry to the identified markets in various locations, he said.

"Our focus (after this) is not just the syndicate but also premises selling smuggled cigarettes.

"We will raid these outlets in the various districts soon,” he added.

Ayob Khan said police would recommend to the government to classify smuggling of cigarettes as an organised crime so that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 can be used against the culprits.

"If approved, it would make it easier for us to act against syndicates.

"We have identified the main players but it’s difficult to link them to this crime now,” he said.

Investigations in smuggling cases are now conducted under Section 135 (1)(E) of the Customs Act 1967.

-- BERNAMA