Authorities Arrest Five Men Involved in Cigarette Smuggling Operations

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.22.2024
Authorities Arrest Five Men Involved in Cigarette Smuggling Operations
Five men were arrested in Malaysia on January 21 for alleged involvement in a cigarette smuggling operation worth RM 750,000 (approximately $159,000).

According to a report from Malaysian media outlet Sinar on January 21, five men have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a cigarette smuggling operation worth RM 750,000 (approximately $159,000).

 

Kelantan’s police chief, Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun, has announced that a total of 27 to 59-year-old men were apprehended between 3:45 am and 3:30 pm through Operation Kontraban.

 

He stated that in the first raid, the police arrested three men who were driving a Perodua Kembara vehicle and inspected a Toyota truck parked in front of a store near Simpang Empat Kampung Pauh Panji. During the inspection of the truck, the police discovered approximately 300,000 white cigarettes valued at 225,000 Malaysian Ringgit, believed to be untaxed.

 

In the second operation, the police arrested two additional men, aged 34 and 59, in an apartment in the Tanah Merah area at 3:30 pm that day. According to preliminary investigations, it was revealed that these cigarettes were smuggled into Malaysia through illegal channels.

 

According to Muhamad Zaki Harun, these suspects will be detained according to the law for further investigation, while authorities will make efforts to track down other members of the cigarette smuggling network. He also emphasized their commitment to cracking down on smuggling activities and called on the public to provide intelligence on illegal transactions to assist law enforcement in combating such crimes.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

JTI UK Updates Nordic Spirit Packaging to Strengthen “Strength and Flavour” Guidance
JTI UK Updates Nordic Spirit Packaging to Strengthen “Strength and Flavour” Guidance
Japan Tobacco International UK (JTI UK) has unveiled a refreshed brand identity for Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches. The new packaging is now live on JTI360 and will roll out to shelves over the coming months. The updated design strengthens on-pack guidance on strength and flavour, adding slower/faster release cues and a six-dot strength system (6–17mg). Each can contains 20 pouches and includes a lid compartment for storing used pouches before disposal.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | OXVA launches SlimStick X in Europe and the U.S., shifting from pre-filled to open-system refilling
Product | OXVA launches SlimStick X in Europe and the U.S., shifting from pre-filled to open-system refilling
OXVA has recently launched its new e-cigarette, the SlimStick X. Unlike its predecessor, the SlimStick, which used a pre-filled pod system, the SlimStick X adopts an open-system refillable design, featuring a 2ml pod, a 1.0Ω coil, and a 1400mAh battery. The product has entered online retail channels in markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Spain, with a price of about $23.99.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | Tax Veteran Takes Helm at China’s Tobacco Regulator, Leadership Change Fuels Reform Watch
Special Report | Tax Veteran Takes Helm at China’s Tobacco Regulator, Leadership Change Fuels Reform Watch
China’s tobacco system has appointed a new top internal leader with a long background in public finance and taxation, drawing renewed attention to whether the country’s tobacco monopoly may enter a new phase of reform debate. The appointment itself does not signal a defined policy shift.But it places a veteran fiscal official at the center of a key state sector amid unresolved questions on tax reform, structure, and emerging tobacco products.
Mar.20
Editorial says West Virginia’s HB 5437 “Vape Safety Act” goes too far, targeting residency and citizenship provisions
Editorial says West Virginia’s HB 5437 “Vape Safety Act” goes too far, targeting residency and citizenship provisions
A News and Sentinel editorial argues that West Virginia’s HB 5437, the “Vape Safety Act,” goes beyond reasonable regulation by adding provisions barring any part of a vape or smoke shop from being used as a residence and requiring owners to be U.S. citizens.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
The Oregon Senate voted 26–1 to pass Senate Bill 1571, a measure redefining tobacco products to include nicotine pouches and restricting their sale to individuals under 21.
Regulations
Feb.23
Azerbaijan Cancels E-Cigarette State Standard as Full Vape Ban Takes Effect on April 1
Azerbaijan Cancels E-Cigarette State Standard as Full Vape Ban Takes Effect on April 1
The Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization (AZSTAND) has announced the cancellation of state standard AZS 941:2023, “Electronic Cigarettes. General Technical Specifications.”Under legal amendments adopted on December 30, 2025, Azerbaijan has prohibited from April 1, 2026 the import, export, manufacture, storage, wholesale and retail sale, and use of e-cigarettes and their components.
Apr.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai