Smuggled e-cigarettes seized in Padang Besar, Malaysia, involving about $220,000

Aug.11.2025
Smuggled e-cigarettes seized in Padang Besar, Malaysia, involving about $220,000
Smuggled e-cigarettes were seized in Padang Besar, Malaysia, with two suspects arrested. The seized e-cigarettes are valued at 916,000 ringgit (approximately $220,000).

Key Points:

·Malaysian authorities in Batu Pahat have seized smuggled e-cigarettes, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the confiscation of 2400 boxes of e-cigarettes worth 916,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 220,000 USD). 

·The case involves Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

 

According to a report by the Straits Times on August 10th, the Northern Border Operations Force (GOF) of Malaysia successfully intercepted an attempted distribution of e-cigarettes worth over RM 900,000 (approximately $210,000) in two raids on August 8th. Two suspects were arrested and 2,400 boxes of e-cigarettes were seized.

 

In the first operation, around noon, law enforcement officers intercepted a van in Padang Besar. Shahrum Hashim, Senior Assistant Commissioner of the Northern Border Operation Command, stated that the inspection revealed eight boxes of e-cigarettes without proper documentation, believed to be destined for a residence in Taman Kim, Padang Besar. "Based on subsequent intelligence, we conducted a raid on a house at 1:30 PM and arrested a man who admitted to renting the place. A search of the house uncovered an additional 28 boxes of e-cigarettes without proper documentation.

 

In a statement, he stated that a total of 2,400 boxes of e-cigarettes, valued at 916,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 220,000 USD), were seized. Sharum pointed out that the prime suspect, only 25 years old, claimed he was paid to transport packages from Kuala Lumpur to specified locations, which were alleged to contain cosmetics.

 

The second suspect, 55 years old, admitted to obtaining e-cigarettes from suppliers over the past three months to sell to local customers.

 

Two suspects are currently under investigation under section 135(1)(d) of the 1967 Customs Act and could face fines or imprisonment if convicted. Sharum also added that the GOF will enhance efforts to combat smuggling activities along the northern border and is urging the public to provide authorities with any information on illegal activities.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
2Firsts has noted that Geek Bar has added BURJ to its official product portfolio under the E-HOOKAH category. Public information shows that BURJ 80K is a hookah-style disposable vape featuring a 25ml e-liquid capacity, a 1500mAh battery, 0.4Ω dual coils and three operating modes: ECO, Regular and Pulse. According to publicly available product information, the device is rated for up to 80,000 puffs in ECO mode and uses a nicotine strength of 0.5% (5mg/ml).
Market
May.29
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
Philip Morris International (PMI) has confirmed plans to bring its IQOS heated tobacco device to Argentina by the end of 2026, after the Argentine government lifted long-standing restrictions and created a regulatory framework for heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
According to China’s patent office records, a patent owned by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) for “cigarette paper and a cigarette for microwave heating” was granted on May 19, 2026. The patent describes cigarette paper with an outer wrapping layer, a heating layer, and an isolation heat-conducting layer, allowing it to absorb microwave energy, convert it to heat, and transfer that heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.
Jun.10
South Korea Rejects 16 Trillion Won Tax-Evasion Claim Over Chinese Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea Rejects 16 Trillion Won Tax-Evasion Claim Over Chinese Synthetic Nicotine
The South Korean government rejected allegations that Chinese synthetic-nicotine e-liquids were linked to about 16 trillion won in tobacco tax evasion, saying China does not ban synthetic nicotine exports and the estimate is difficult to verify, while acknowledging that pre-law synthetic-nicotine inventory is effectively difficult to tax.
Market
Jun.25
How AI Is Rewriting the Talent Playbook for the Nicotine Industry: JTI’s Case
How AI Is Rewriting the Talent Playbook for the Nicotine Industry: JTI’s Case
AI is moving from a back-office tool to a core organizational capability in the nicotine industry. Based on JTI’s responses, this 2Firsts feature examines how AI is reshaping talent strategy, internal mobility, decision-making and human accountability as global tobacco companies compete in the shift toward new nicotine categories.
Jun.17