Two cops held over illegal cigarettes

KLANG: Two policemen were among nine people arrested by federal police for allegedly aiding an illegal cigarette smuggling syndicate at a jetty at Bandar Parklands here today.
The raiding party seized 250 large boxes believed to contain about 25,000 packets of illegal cigarettes which were smuggled in by sea.
Sources said after several weeks of surveillance, a federal police Special Branch team with the assistance of the elite Special Action Unit (UTK) ambushed the suspects, near a jetty at Jalan Air Hitam at about 1am.
A 36-year-old police corporal and a 32-year-old police lance-corporal, both attached to police stations here, were detained with the other men.
Police seized the policemen's service firearms, a Steyr and a Walther with a total of 60 rounds of ammunition.
A lorry and a car that were loaded with the contraband were also confiscated.
Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Abdul Samah Mat who confirmed the case said investigations are being carried out by Bukit Aman.
The demand for contraband cigarettes which are about 70% cheaper rose last year following the steep hike in the prices of legitimate cigarettes in November.