IPOH: The Perak Customs Department has busted multiple smuggling attempts involving white cigarettes, kretek, liquor, firecrackers, and drugs suspected to be marijuana.
Perak Customs director Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mohamad said the total seized goods are valued at RM771,376.70, with an estimated RM3.7mil in unpaid duties and taxes.
He said that the illicit goods were confiscated from various locations, including Selangor, Kamunting, Taiping, Trong and Pengkalan Hulu.
"The first case took place at about 5.45pm on Jan 13, when enforcement officers raided two containers at Port Klang, Selangor and discovered 52,800 litres of assorted liquor brands worth RM264,000, with an estimated RM1.9mil in duties and taxes, " he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 22).
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for attempting to import non-duty-paid goods. If convicted, offenders face penalties under Section 135(1)(iv)(aa) of the same Act.
Later that evening, at around 6.15pm, he said a raid at a warehouse in Port Klang led to the discovery of an additional 25,200 litres of various brands of alcohol, valued at RM126,000. The estimated duties and taxes on this seizure amounted to RM852,169.50.
"For the third case, which happened at 11.30am on Jan 21, authorities inspected a truck parked at a cemetery in Kamunting and seized 852,500 sticks of assorted white cigarettes worth approximately RM93,775.
"The unpaid duties and taxes amounted to RM554,977.50. Two men in the truck were detained for further investigation.
"Later that day, at 2.30pm, an unoccupied premises in Taiping was raided, leading to the seizure of 467,100 sticks of white cigarettes and kretek valued at RM57,695. The estimated duties and taxes on this haul totalled RM304,713.50," he said.
He said the second, third and fourth case will be investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for knowingly keeping prohibited goods. If convicted, the offender may be punished under the provisions of Section 135(1)(v)(aa) of the same legislation.
Meanwhile, for the fifth case at about 10am on Jan 23, he said enforcement officers raided a premises in Trong, resulting in the seizure of 420 boxes of assorted firecrackers and fireworks worth approximately RM211,630. The estimated unpaid duties and taxes stood at RM137,223.24.
In the sixth case, at 3.15pm on Jan 29, he said a vehicle in Pengkalan Hulu town was raided and 1.057kg of compressed marijuana hidden under the back seat was discovered.
The drugs were valued at approximately RM3,276.70, while the total seizure, including the vehicle, was estimated at approximately RM15,000.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The department has urged the public to assist in the fight against smuggling activities, particularly those involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, and vehicles.
"Smuggling not only results in revenue losses for the country but also poses threats to national security and public welfare," he said.
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