Latest news with #CustomsDepartment
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Scrap metal worth RM9.17mil from Americas, Europe, Asia seized at Port Klang
PORT KLANG: The Customs Department seized 1,960 tonnes of scrap metal worth RM9.17 million from 83 containers in the Port Klang Free Zone during operations in May and June. Selangor Customs director Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi said the scrap metal was seized following cooperation between the department's Enforcement Division and the National Targeting Centre (NTC). "Serial inspections and confiscations of the 83 containers revealed that they contained scrap metal weighing an estimated 1,964,234kg, believed to have been brought in without an import permit. "The importation of scrap metal is subject to an Import Permit issued by Sirim Bhd as stipulated under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023," he said at a press conference at Wisma Kastam in Pulau Indah. Azhar said the syndicate also made false declarations by declaring the goods as aluminium alloy, aluminium materials, computer components, precious metals and unprocessed aluminium. "Preliminary investigations show the metals were imported from several countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Further investigations are ongoing under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967," he said. In a separate case, a total of 240 sacks containing 12 tonnes of tin ore worth an estimated RM1.92 million were seized through inspections of two lorries carrying loads of five and seven tonnes in front of a factory in Pulau Indah, Port Klang, on July 3. Azhar said further checks found that the lorry drivers submitted a suspected fake Customs Form 1, with a declaration date stated for August 2025. "The seized tin ore amounts to 240 sacks with an estimated value of RM1.92 million. "We are still investigating the source and intended destination of this tin ore as well as its intended purpose. "The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(c) of the Customs Act 1967," he said.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Customs foils smuggling attempts at Mumbai airport, 3 flyers from Bangkok held with weed worth Rs 7.23 crore
The Customs Department has seized hydroponic marijuana (weed) worth Rs 7.25 crore and arrested three people coming from Bangkok for three alleged smuggling attempts in the past few days at the Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. In the first operation, Customs officials intercepted a passenger who came to Mumbai from Bangkok on suspicion and seized 10 grams of hydroponic marijuana from his trolley bag. The passenger was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In the second operation, 5,256 grams of hydroponic marijuana were seized from the bag of another passenger coming from Bangkok. The passenger was also subsequently arrested in the case for smuggling a moderate amount of weed. In the third operation, Customs officials worked out specific intelligence and seized 1,452 grams of hydroponic marijuana from the trolley bag of a passenger who came from Bangkok. Sources said the arrested accused were allegedly promised hefty commissions by smuggling racket members for trafficking drugs. Customs officials are attempting to identify the details of their handlers and also tracing those members of the racket who were supposed to receive the delivery of the contraband. In another operation, Customs officials seized 99 bottles of 100 ml cough syrup containing codeine phosphate and arrested four passengers in four separate cases.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Ban on tampered vape may backfire, says academic
GEORGE TOWN: As calls to ban tampered vape products such as K-Pod grow louder, experts have warned that an outright ban may backfire, exacerbating the problem rather than solving it. They say addressing the issue requires political will, inter-agency coordination, psychological insight and, above all, compassion. Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy described the rise of adulterated vapes as an escalation in Malaysia's struggle against evolving forms of substance abuse. 'What makes these products especially dangerous is not just their chemical composition but their design. They are discreet, odourless and flavoured. 'Tampered vape liquids have essentially become stealthy, socially accepted delivery systems for synthetic drugs. And they are alarmingly accessible to school and college students.' However, he cautioned that a blanket ban could worsen the situation by pushing the market further underground, which would make adulterated products even harder to trace and control. 'It could also penalise legitimate users who rely on vaping as a harm-reduction tool,' he said. He warned that a ban may trigger backlash from young voters and small-business owners, who form part of the country's growing vape retail sector. Sundramoorthy called instead for multi-layered regulation and the creation of a centralised regulatory body to oversee vape policy, including mandatory chemical testing of vape liquids, particularly flavoured and imported variants, before they are approved for sale. He proposed tougher penalties for vendors caught selling tampered products near schools or youth-centric areas. He said despite recent regulatory changes, Malaysia's legal framework remains inadequate to handle the vape industry's growing complexity. 'There is no comprehensive ban or regulation on vape liquids, particularly those imported or sold online. Enforcement at the point of sale is sporadic and customs control over vape paraphernalia remains porous.' He added that forensic labs are underequipped and understaffed, making rapid testing during school raids or medical emergencies almost impossible. 'This is a textbook case of enforcement mechanisms struggling to keep pace with innovation in substance abuse. Without a centralised regulatory body, efforts are fragmented. The result is a policy vacuum that criminals exploit with ease,' he said. Sundramoorthy also said the issue highlights broader systemic failures, such as porous borders, weak inter-agency coordination, inconsistent enforcement, institutional corruption and outdated educational messaging, all of which undermine national resilience. He called for the formation of a national task force comprising police, the Health Ministry, the Customs Department, forensic experts and educators to lead enforcement while also crafting culturally relevant awareness campaigns that target youth, parents and teachers. Malaysian Psychological Association president Assoc Prof Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali stressed that the solution must address the emotional and psychological state of Malaysian youth. 'The answer is not merely a lack of information, but rather deeper psychological factors. Vape use is sometimes not just experimentation. It could become a defensive mechanism for coping, an escape from academic pressure, family conflict, social anxiety or low self-worth,' he said. He explained that adolescence is a time of intense peer influence and identity confusion, and vaping is often used as a tool to 'join the gang' or appear 'cool'. 'Many teens are in an identity crisis and those unable to find themselves experience role confusion,' he said. He noted that the adolescent brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control and risk evaluation, is not yet fully developed, making teens more likely to follow trends without grasping long-term consequences. He added that colourful packaging and sweet flavours make vaping seem fun and harmless, distancing it from the health risks that are traditionally associated with cigarettes. 'Pop culture and social media indirectly normalise the use of illicit substances, making it seem bold, free and attractive.' Shazli said products such as K-Pod that offer a quick euphoric high appeal especially to youths dealing with stress, depression or emotional instability. A May report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime revealed the detection of etomidate, a hypnotic anaesthetic agent, in e-liquids used in vape devices. Misuse of this substance has been linked to symptoms such as intoxication, hand tremors, anxiety, panic and confusion.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
MACC seizes over RM332mil in assets in major scrap metal smuggling probe
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen and seized assets worth over RM332 million as part of an extensive investigation into a scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicate, which allegedly bribed enforcement officers, leading to a loss of over RM950 million in export tax revenue over the past six years. An MACC source reported that 27 witnesses have been questioned so far, including a primary suspect whose statement was recorded on Monday (July 21). No arrests have been made at this stage. "MACC has frozen 324 bank accounts, comprising 142 corporate accounts and 182 individual accounts, totalling nearly RM150mil. Assets seized so far amount to about RM183mil," the source said, adding that investigations are ongoing. Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, senior director of MACC's Special Operations Division, confirmed these developments and stated that MACC is actively identifying those involved in the syndicate and scrutinising financial links between suspects and the implicated companies. The investigation is being conducted under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for bribery and false claims, as well as potential offences under anti-money laundering laws. Collaborating agencies, including the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Customs Department, and Bank Negara, are pursuing related offences under the Income Tax Act 1967 and Customs Act 1967. On July 14, MACC launched a large-scale crackdown, targeting 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, and Kedah. The operation focused on a prominent scrap metal company owner with a 'Datuk' title. However, the suspect, believed to be a foreign national, was not at his Batu Maung home, having reportedly left the country two days prior. The team then moved to a scrap metal storage and processing facility on Jalan Bukit Minyak, mainland Penang, believed to belong to the suspect. For over six years, the syndicate exported scrap metal and e-waste to several countries, evading nearly RM1bil in export duties by falsely declaring cargo as machinery and other non-taxable metal goods to bypass the government's 15% export duty. Destinations included China, India, and others. The syndicate allegedly bribed Customs Department officers, establishing a corrupt network that operated undetected for years. MACC continued its crackdown with asset seizures of over RM183mil on July 15. The coordinated sweep at 13 locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley was conducted with the Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia as part of Ops Metal.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Endangered pythons, rabbits, parrots seized from passengers at Pune airport, animals to be sent back to Bangkok
Officials with the Customs Department on Tuesday arrested two passengers who arrived from Bangkok at Pune airport and seized smuggled exotic wild animals, including green tree pythons, double-eyed fig parrots, and Sumatran striped rabbits, from them. The endangered animals are set to be sent back to Thailand under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Pune Customs said. 'On specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers intercepted two passengers, namely Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, both landed at Pune from Bangkok on Air India Express Flight IX-241,' the Customs Department said in a statement. The accused possessed 14 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), of which 13 were alive and one dead, four double-eyed fig parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma), and two Sumatran striped rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri) from their possession. The animals were hidden in the baggage of the passengers, said an officer. 'A case under The Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, has been booked against them, and both the passengers are arrested. Further investigation is in progress,' the press statement said. Officials said that a probe has been launched to verify whether the passengers have any accomplices. Following the seizure, Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune, has sought the assistance of Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust for species verification, veterinary examination, and immediate triage of animals. RESQ team comprising veterinarians Dr Satvik Pathak and Dr Sushrut Shirbhate, along with Director Nachiket Utpat, wildlife technician Harshad Nagrare, and founder Neha Panchamiya, assisted the forest department. RESQ veterinarians are scheduled to revisit the animals for follow-up care and ensure stabilisation until deportation, officials said. Customs officials said that as the species were identified, the actions of the two arrested passengers were found to violate the CITES and Import rules, as import of live animals requires a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Licence. Provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act say that when living specimens of a species listed are seized under the Customs Act as a result of illegal import into India, the specimens are returned to the country of origin. Therefore, on completion of the Customs procedures and formalities, all the live animals will be returned to the origin country for better survival of the animals. If it is not feasible, these animals may also be temporarily rehabilitated to any of the recognised zoos by the Central Zoo Authority, officials said.
