Malaysian Police Bust Two Smuggling Syndicates, Seize RM13 Million in Vapes and Cigarettes

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Malaysian police have dismantled two smuggling syndicates involved in the distribution of vape products and untaxed cigarettes worth an estimated RM13 million following separate raids in Batu Caves and Puchong, Selangor.

The operations, carried out under Op Taring Alpha 1 and Op Taring Alpha 3, resulted in the arrest of eight individuals on July 27 and 28. Authorities believe both premises served as storage centres before the contraband was distributed to dealers around the Klang Valley.

Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said preliminary investigations indicated that the seized vape products were believed to have been smuggled into Malaysia from China.

The syndicate allegedly used false declarations to conceal the true nature of the goods when transporting them into the country through maritime routes.

During the Batu Caves raid on July 28, police worked alongside officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the Gombak District Health Office and the Selayang Municipal Council.

Five individuals were detained at a premises identified as a storage and supply location for vape products.

Authorities seized 131,036 boxes of Salthub Zero products, 4,900 bottles of vape liquid and 25,510 electronic cigarette devices of various brands.

The total value of the seized goods was estimated at RM9.4 million.

Investigators believe the products failed to comply with several Malaysian regulations, including the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order 2022, the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

In a separate raid in Puchong on July 27, police arrested three local men and confiscated 166 boxes containing approximately 1.66 million untaxed cigarettes.

The cigarettes were estimated to be worth RM3.306 million. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

Police believe the two locations were used as distribution hubs, with the goods later supplied to networks of dealers operating throughout the Klang Valley.

The seized vape products were believed to have been sold for between RM50 and RM400 per unit depending on the brand and flavour.

Mohd Yusri said Bukit Aman recorded 236 cases involving 411 arrests and seizures worth RM280.4 million between January 1 and July 31 this year.

The enforcement results were achieved through several operations targeting smuggling, contraband distribution, wildlife exploitation, environmental offences and cross-border crime.

Among the operations were Op Taring Alpha 1 targeting illicit cigarettes, Op Taring Alpha 2 involving untaxed alcoholic beverages, and Op Taring Alpha 3 focusing on vape products.

Other enforcement initiatives included Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Chiller and the Integrated Khazanah Operation, involving cooperation between federal and state enforcement agencies.

Op Taring Alpha 3 alone recorded 11 cases involving five arrests and seizures valued at RM9.5 million during the first seven months of the year.

Meanwhile, Op Taring Alpha 1 recorded five cases, 10 arrests and seizures worth RM6.1 million over the same period.

Police stressed that enforcement would not stop at confiscating goods and arresting suspects.

The priority is to identify and dismantle the wider syndicate networks, including masterminds, suppliers, warehouse operators, transporters and distributors involved in smuggling operations.

Authorities said intelligence gathering, investigation and coordinated enforcement would continue as part of efforts to disrupt illegal trade and cross-border criminal networks operating in Malaysia.

The latest seizures highlight the scale of the illicit vape and cigarette market and the continued use of storage facilities in the Klang Valley as distribution points for smuggled goods.