PETALING JAYA: More than 800 raids have been conducted by the Customs Department in the first six months of this year.
Federal Territory Customs Department assistant director-general Mohammad Sabri Saad said that 866 raids have been conducted, leading to seizures of RM107,034,028.
“In terms of revenue generator and the number of cases, this zone, which comprises Kuala Lumpur, KLIA and Selangor, is the biggest. Around 70% of the total revenue and more so for cases,” he said in a press conference at the department's headquarters here.
Among the raids was the successful discovery of illegally imported zam zam water.
“On June 21 an operations team successfully prevented the smuggling of a number of ‘mineral water’ after stopping a 40-foot container at Westport, Port Klang.
“The value of the seizure has been estimated to be around RM601,260 with taxes amounting to RM180,380. A total of 27,000 litres were confiscated,” he said, adding that the importation of zam zam water was not allowed.
Investigations into the seizure have shown that the shipment was labelled as “personal belongings” and that it was meant to be sold online via e-commerce sites.
Another highlighted case was the arrest of 18 suspects during a special operation between July 18 and 27.
“This operation focused on breaking the supply chain of illegal cigarettes and alcohol. Seizures have been estimated to be valued at RM152,000 with taxes worth RM660,000.
“The arrests and raids were conducted within the Klang Valley areas and were targeted at the supply, selling and storing of these goods. It is believed that the goods were smuggled in via sea and land routes,” he said.
A total of 30 investigation papers were opened, he added.
