Cigarette smuggling syndicate busted using abandoned building as storage facility
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said the syndicate's modus operandi was uncovered following a raid on May 22 at a dilapidated building near a residential area in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
He said the abandoned building had been used as a storage facility for smuggled white cigarettes in an attempt to evade detection by authorities, with the structure, in its run-down condition, appeared unsuspicious and would typically go unnoticed.
'Following the raid, nearly 1.9 million sticks of cigarettes of various brands and 377 kilogrammes of tobacco, with the total market value, including duties and taxes, estimated at over RM1.56 million were seized,' he said in a press conference today.
He said efforts were underway to trace the owner of the premises to assist in the investigation, which is being conducted under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli also revealed that Customs had successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 62,000 litres of nicotine-laced electronic cigarette liquid during an operation at the premises of an air cargo terminal operator in the KLIA Free Trade Zone on April 28.
He said the syndicate had attempted to deceive authorities by falsely declaring the product as disposable electronic cigarettes, which do not require an import licence from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
'Nicotine is classified as a prohibited item under Item 4, Schedule II, Part I of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023, and its importation is only allowed with a valid licence from the MOH.
'The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM334,000, with duties and taxes amounting to RM60,680,' he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Regulation 30 (1) of the Free Zone Regulations 1991.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Police raid hidden palm oil depot in Lahad Datu, arrest four
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities seized an estimated 30,148 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) worth RM152,090 during a raid on a concealed storehouse located in a palm oil plantation in Lahad Datu, Sabah. The total value of all items seized in the operation amounted to RM645,890. The raid, conducted under Op Taring, was led by the Internal Security and Public Order Department at 7pm on July 15. Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the integrated operation involved the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation Unit of Bukit Aman, the Lahad Datu district police and enforcement officers from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Four men aged between 20 and 31 were arrested during the raid. Authorities also confiscated a truck head and tanker containing 30,000 litres of CPO; a van; three motorised oil pumps with hoses; an IBC tank containing 200 litres of CPO; a plastic tank with a capacity of 1,400 litres, filled with CPO and a 200-litre drum containing approximately 20 litres of CPO. "The total weight of the seized CPO is estimated at 30,148 tonnes, valued at RM152,090. The overall estimated value of all seized items during the operation is RM645,890," Azmi said in a statement released tonight. The case is being investigated by MPOB under Regulation 5(1)(b) of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (Licensing) Regulations 2005, which carries a maximum fine of RM200,000, a prison sentence of up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Azmi added that the police also issued five summonses (POL 257) against the owners and drivers of vehicles inspected during the raid for various offences, including expired motor vehicle licences; a lack of insurance coverage and riving without a valid licence "This operation aims to curb illegal activities involving crude palm oil that violate MPOB regulations. If left unchecked, such activities can pose threats to food security and the environment. "Furthermore, the misappropriation of CPO impacts tax revenues and undermines the palm oil industry, which is a key contributor to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP)," he said.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Python, smuggled liquor and cigarettes seized in Kulim raid
ALOR STAR: Police have seized over RM400,000 worth of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol, subsidised gas cylinders, and a live python in a multi-agency raid on a sundry shop in Kulim. The joint operation on July 17 was led by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation Unit (WCB/PSK) of Bukit Aman's Internal Security and Public Order Department, and involved the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, and the Kulim Municipal Council (MPK). A 35-year-old local man was arrested during the raid. Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said intelligence gathering led the team to the premises, where they found 118,520 sticks of untaxed cigarettes and 333 bottles and cans of untaxed liquor. Authorities also confiscated a live ball python, 62 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, and RM35,000 in cash. "The total estimated value of the seized items stands at RM416,668, including RM365,168 in untaxed goods, RM15,500 in LPG cylinders, RM1,000 for the wildlife seizure, and RM35,000 in cash," he said in a statement today. The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, Minor Offences Act 1955, Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, Control of Supplies Act 1961, and local government by-laws for operating without a valid business licence. Azmi said the operation was part of an ongoing nationwide effort to tackle smuggling, leakage of subsidised goods, and the illegal wildlife trade. "From Jan 1 to July 17 this year, the WCB/PSK unit has carried out 171 operations nationwide, arresting 301 individuals and seizing items including smuggled goods, illicit wildlife, imitation firearms and electronic waste, with total seizures exceeding RM541 million," he added.
Barnama
7 hours ago
- Barnama
Cops Seize Contraband Cigarettes, Liquor Worth Over RM400,000 In Kulim Raid
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) – Police seized contraband cigarettes and liquor worth over RM400,000, along with a Ball Python snake, during a raid on a grocery shop in Kulim, Kedah last Thursday. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the 11 am operation, carried out by the Wildlife Crime Bureau / Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK), led to the arrest of a 35-year-old local man believed to be the shop owner. "The items seized included 118,520 sticks of untaxed cigarettes, 333 bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages, one Ball Python snake, 62 cylinders of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and RM35,000 in cash. The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM416,668," he said in a statement today.
