JOHOR BARU, Nov 2 ― The Southern Region (Region Two) marine police seized 204,500 cartons of contraband cigarettes valued at about RM2.4 million in Tanjong Laboh, Batu Pahat.

The seizure on October 30 by a marine police intelligence team saw the arrest of a 41-year-old suspect and also the seizure of a white five-tonne bonded lorry.

Southern Region marine police commander Assistant Commissioner Paul Khiu Khon Chiang said the police team detected the suspicious-looking lorry while patrolling the area before giving a chase.

"The cigarettes were discovered in the lorry following a short chase by the marine police team from Tanjong Laboh at about 3am.

"The pursuing team managed to intercept the lorry near the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia main road,” he said at a media conference at the Southern Region marine police headquarters today.

Khiu said checks revealed that the lorry was filled with "John” brand white contraband cigarettes that was earlier being loaded in the Tanjong Laboh coast.

He said police detained the 41-year-old local driver to assist in investigations.

The cigarettes, lorry and suspect were taken to the MOF Region 2 headquarters to facilitate the investigation under Section 135 (1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.

From the start of the year until November, the Southern Region marine police have made 27 arrests in 28 cases involving smuggled contraband cigarettes.