THE fifth Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) Simpang Renggam, seized various types of firecrackers, cigarettes and alcohol worth RM733,434 in two separate raids in Kluang yesterday.

Its commanding officer Dimin Awang said the raids were carried out at Jalan Nipah and Jalan Ara, Kg Dato’ A. Rahman Yassin, Kluang at about 4.50pm and the next raid carried out an hour later.

He said two local men, aged 35 and 49, were arrested in the raid and RM5,000 in cash and a Perodua Alza were also confiscated.

As many as 547 boxes of firecrackers, 556 cartons of cigarettes and 81 cartons of liquor believed to have been brought in from neighbouring countries were also seized.

“Initial investigations reveal the firecrackers were meant for the markets around Kluang and Johor Baru in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration,” he told a press conference at Simpang Renggam today.

The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 and Section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967.

Dimin said the arrested duo and the seized items were taken to the Kluang district police headquarters for further action.

The two suspects have no criminal records. – Bernama, February 3, 2021.