Perak Customs foil multiple smuggling attempts worth over RM10 million

New Straits Times

2 days ago

IPOH: The Perak Customs Department has seized eight plastic packages containing 9.8kg of dried plant material suspected to be cannabis flowers, hidden in parcels.
Its director, Mohd Nadzri Ariffin, said the drugs were among several items confiscated by the department in efforts to thwart smuggling activities involving drugs, electronic cigarette (vape) devices and liquids, tiles, a car, pig carcasses, and vehicles between May and June.
He said a team from the department's Narcotics Unit, together with officers from headquarters, conducted an inspection of a parcel suspected to contain drugs at a courier company in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on June 5 at 2.45pm.
"As a result of the inspection, the team found eight plastic packages containing dried plant material suspected to be cannabis flowers.
"The estimated gross weight of the material is 9.8kg, worth RM966,084. The drugs were believed to be bound for the United Kingdom.
"They were concealed inside an air mattress box and an inflatable pool box," he told reporters at the department's headquarters here today.
He said no arrests have been made so far, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping upon conviction.
In a second case, he said the department's enforcement division inspected a container at Port Klang, Selangor, on June 4 at 10am, suspected of carrying prohibited goods under customs regulations.
"They found 55,320 units of electronic cigarette (vape) devices containing liquid of various brands and 706 pieces of undeclared marble tiles. The declared goods were listed as plastic.
"The vapes are estimated to be worth RM896,800, while the tiles are valued at RM70,600," he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for making false declarations, which carries a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.
In a third case, he said the Taiping Enforcement Branch inspected a container at West Port, Pulau Indah, Selangor, and discovered a Brabham BT62 vehicle without an import permit.
"The container had been declared as carrying parts and toolboxes, which did not match the actual contents.
"The vehicle is valued at RM2.2 million, and the estimated duties or taxes amount to RM4.25 million," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. For a first offence, the offender may be fined not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000 (whichever is greater), and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or face imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.
In the final case, Mohd Nadzri said the department stopped two refrigerated lorries in Pengkalan Hulu on May 29 at 6.55pm.
Upon inspecting both vehicles, the team discovered pig carcasses suspected to be prohibited goods under customs regulations, as they were brought in from a neighbouring country without documentation, had not been referred to MAQIS, and lacked both an import permit and a health certificate from the country of origin.
"The estimated value of the pig carcasses is RM1.04 million, with estimated duties or taxes amounting to RM518,100," he said, adding that two men were arrested to assist with the investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
If convicted, for a first offence, the offender may be fined not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000 (whichever is greater), and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or face imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.