PETALING JAYA: Enforcement agencies under the home ministry have seized smuggled cigarettes worth RM623.41 million from 2022 to September this year.
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a total of 1,334 cases were recorded during the period, leading to 1,184 arrests during various enforcement operations nationwide.
In a written parliamentary reply, Saifuddin said the bulk of the seizures was by the police through its general operations force (PGA) and marine police units.
The PGA recorded 912 cases, resulting in 977 arrests and seizures valued at RM445.1 million, while the marine police handled 380 cases with 207 arrests and seizures worth RM157.49 million.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency recorded 42 cases involving seizures valued at RM20.82 million.