KUALA PERLIS: The Perlis Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized 8,100 bottles and 1,000 litres of liquid suspected to be counterfeit cough mixture, estimated to be worth RM271,500, at a premise in the Sungai Padang area near Arau last Monday.
Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim said following a tip-off, a raid was conducted on an unnumbered premise at 2.30pm which led to the arrest of a 28-year-old local male and a 54-year-old Thai man.
"On inspecting, we discovered several boxes containing 100ml bottles of suspected cough medicine and a total of 8,100 bottled cough syrup were seized.
"In addition, there were 1,000 litres of liquid suspected to be cough syrup in a barrel. We also found processing machines, packaging materials and substances believed to be used in the production of cough mixture," he told a press conference here Friday (Jan 19).
Ismail said the chemical composition listed on the cough syrup bottle is suspected to generate Diphenhydramine, a scheduled poison known for its harmful effect on the brain, nerves and kidneys, which if used excessively without proper medical supervision could potentially lead to fatal consequences.
"Based on our preliminary investigation, both men are suspected to have engaged in the processing of cough medicine over the past three to four months, with the supply intended for the local market and suspected smuggling to Thailand," he said.
He said their modus operandi is suspected to include processing the product within residential premises as a means to elude law enforcement and the bottles carry the branding of established products in the market.
"We are continuing the investigation and the Thai national was released on a RM30,000 customs bail, while the Malaysian was released on a RM20,000 bail," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 9(2) of the Poison Act 1952. If convicted, penalties under Section 32(2) of the same act may include a fine not exceeding RM50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. - Bernama
