BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle cigarettes worth more than RM400,000 in a container during an operation at West Port, Port Klang on Oct 26.
State Customs director Hamisan Kalip said a director of a logistics company was also arrested in the operation conducted by the Customs enforcement and narcotic division at about 3.15pm on Oct 26.
"During the operation, a thorough check in the container found 1,832 boxes labelled "Instant Noodles" containing cigarettes mixed with instant noodles or equivalent to 5,771,520 sticks of cigarettes worth about RM461,721.60 with a total tax of RM3,698,390.02 (RM3.7mil)," he said in a press conference at the state Customs enforcement office on Friday (Nov 3).
Hamisan said initial investigation found the container was handled by a shipping and logistics company which has a branch office in Port Klang.
He added, “through documents that were found during the operation, the items originated from West Asian countries.”
Hamisan also said investigations found that the modus operandi of the syndicate is to declare the items as instant noodles in the Bill of Lading and Import Manifest, where contraband cigarettes were hidden in boxes labelled as instant noodles.
He said the suspect, a 47-year-old, was released on bail.
"Further investigation is ongoing to identify suspects who were involved in the smuggling activities," he said.
Hamisan, adding further, said that the department believed the contraband items were meant for local distribution.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) and Section 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967.
