
Customs Dept foils bids to smuggle in 34kg of cannabis
ALOR SETAR: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department thwarted two attempts to smuggle in 34kg of cannabis in separate operations at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex last month.
Kedah Customs director Wan Marini Wan Hamzah said the first operation involved a lorry that was stopped at 10.10pm on June 26 at the ICQS vehicle inspection zone.
"Two boxes containing 18.75kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of over RM57,000 were found hidden behind the driver's seat. The driver was immediately detained for further investigation.
"The... drugs (were hidden in) a legitimate consignment of vegetables, brought in late at night in hopes of bypassing inspection and securing direct clearance at the border,' she said in a statement on Wednesday (July 23).
In the second operation, two brothers travelling on a cross-border express bus were detained at 4.50pm on June 28 while passing through the bus lane at the ICQS checkpoint.
"Scans of their luggage revealed tightly packed bundles wrapped in black plastic, suspected to be cannabis.
"A total of 15 compressed packets containing cannabis flower weighing 875.3g and 14.59kg of cannabis were seized, with an estimated street value exceeding RM45,200.
"All suspects have been detained for further investigation.
"The Customs Department urges the public to play an active role in combating smuggling, particularly involving cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, and to refrain from any involvement in such illegal activities,' she said.
She added that the people can report such activities by calling the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or contacting the nearest Customs office. – Bernama

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
MCBA foils attempt to smuggle exotic animals worth RM73,000
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Control and Border Protection Agency (MCBA) has foiled an attempt by a man to smuggle six exotic animals worth RM73,000 to Hyderabad, India. In a statement today, the agency said the local man was arrested in an operation involving its KLIA personnel and the Aviation Security (AVSEC) team at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. "Acting on intelligence received, two KLIA MCBA officers along with three AVSEC personnel conducted a further inspection of a passenger's luggage. "The suspect was detained at 10pm after he was found attempting to smuggle several exotic animals on flight MH0198 to Hyderabad, India." MCBA said an initial X-ray scan of the luggage revealed suspicious images resembling wildlife. "Further inspection uncovered six wild animals - two silvery langurs (lotong kelabu), two siamangs, and two armadillos - all classified as endangered and protected species under both national and international laws." The agency said the 38-year-old suspect, from Selangor, was detained to assist investigations under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008. "All the seized animals have been handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action," it added. The agency said the effort reflects MCBA's continued commitment to combating wildlife smuggling activities, which threaten the country's biodiversity and tarnish Malaysia's image on the international stage.


New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Man arrested for smuggling exotic animals out of KLIA Terminal 1
SEPANG: A man was arrested last night after he tried to smuggle six exotic animals, estimated to be worth RM73,000, out of the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. The man, 38, who was travelling to India, was arrested at 10pm after a team from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia's (CAAM) Aviation Security Division discovered a pair of silvery langur, siamangs and armadillos each during an enforcement operation. "Acting on a tip, two MCBA members and three AVSEC members conducted a further search on the baggage of a passenger after initial checks via a scanner machine showed suspicious images resembling wildlife inside. "The search led to the discovery of six exotic animals," the AKPS said in a statement today, adding that the animals were seized and taken to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action. "The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008," it added. – Bernama


The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Man arrested for smuggling exotic animals through KLIA Terminal 1
SEPANG: A 38-year-old man was arrested last night after attempting to smuggle six exotic animals, valued at approximately RM73,000, out of Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. The suspect, who was traveling to India, was detained at 10 pm following a joint operation by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia's (CAAM) Aviation Security Division. Authorities discovered a pair of silvery langurs, siamangs, and armadillos hidden inside the man's luggage. 'Acting on a tip, two AKPS members and three AVSEC officers conducted a thorough search after initial scanner images revealed suspicious wildlife-like shapes,' AKPS stated. The seized animals were handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action. The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008. – Bernama