KOTA BHARU, July 10 — The General Operations Force’s (GOF) Battalion 7 seized a total of 57,780 units of electronic cigarette (vape) devices in various flavours suspected of not complying with Malaysian standards in an operation in Kampung Gelang Mas, near Pasir Mas, yesterday.
GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the 2pm seizure was done during an inspection of a lorry that had stopped suspiciously on the side of the road.
During the inspection, boxes wrapped in yellow plastic were found in the back of the lorry, and these boxes contained vape devices suspected of not having the MS SIRIM certificate and stamp as required under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Devices) Order 2022.
He said two local men, aged 22 and 40, who were in the lorry, were detained and are believed to be couriers for the distribution of the vape devices to the local market.
“The overall estimated cost of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM8.8 million, and the case has been handed over to the Pasir Mas Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for further action.
"The case is being investigated under Section 4(2) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Devices) Order 2022, in accordance with the Trade Descriptions Act 2011," he said in a statement today.
Ros Azhan emphasised that the GOF is consistently committed to enhancing border control to combat smuggling and trade in illicit goods, particularly those that pose a threat to public safety and health.
— Bernama
