THE 7th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA7) has seized items worth more than RM770,000 from 43 cases during a 14-day operation, Ops Wawasan, on the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Commanding officer Azhari Nusi said 22 vehicles were also seized, while 25 people including 10 illegal immigrants had been detained since the operation began on September 15.

He said in the latest case last night, the team managed to seize kretek and white cigarettes valued at RM21,960, which were believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country.

The raid was carried out after members of the team, who were patrolling on their motorcycles on Jalan Kasban, spotted three men unloading boxes and parcels from the banks of Sungai Golok.

“As soon as the team approached, the trio fled in a vehicle, leaving behind the items at the site.

“Team members, on checking the boxes and packages, found several brands of cigarettes – TEX, Solar, D&J, Gudang Garam and Minna – believed to have been smuggled here,” he told reporters at a press conference at the PGA Tactical Headquarters in Lubok Setol, Pasir Mas, today.

He added that the confiscated cigarettes would be handed over to the Customs Department for importing prohibited goods.

Azhari said the largest seizure carried out during the operation involved 24 heads of cattle and 29 heads of goat worth nearly RM455,000, with two arrests. – Bernama, September 29, 2019.