Big haul: Mohd Asri (second from left) looking at the seized cigarettes during a press conference at Wisma JKDM, Pahang. — Bernama
KUANTAN: The state customs department thwarted an attempt to distribute smuggled cigarettes when it seized 1.2 million sticks of cigarettes of various types and brands worth RM942,480, including duties and taxes, last month.
Pahang branch director Mohd Asri Seman said the seizure was made after the Pahang customs enforcement division inspected a lorry left by the roadside at Taman Sri Mahkota here at about 2pm on July 6.
He said they are trying to trace the lorry owner and the syndicate’s network involved in the cigarette distribution.
“The syndicate’s modus operandi is to use canvas-covered lorries and operate during peak hours to evade authorities,” he said.
Mohd Asri said they also detained a man in his 30s with 53,100 cigarettes valued at RM45,607.72, including duties and taxes, when they inspected a car at KM129 of the Segamat-Kuantan Highway near Muadzam Shah, at about 2.30pm on July 22, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, he said the department also thwarted an attempt to distribute frozen pork from Thailand worth RM135,000 when they detained a lorry at KM131, Jeli-Gerik Route, Perak, at about 5.30am on July 17.
He said that upon inspection, they found 150 pieces of pork weighing 6,750kg. The driver and his assistant, both in their 30s, failed to present any documents related to the importation and permit for transporting frozen meat.
All the cases, he said, are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) and Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
