Illegal ciggies worth more than RM2mil seized

TEMERLOH: Pahang’s biggest smuggling attempt so far has been busted after a lorry was detained at the Temerloh rest and recreation (R&R) area southbound and smuggled cigarettes worth more than RM2mil were seized.

Pahang Customs Department director Wan Apandi Wan Hassan said the cigarettes were seized from the lorry that was parked at the R&R at 8.30am on Jan 5.

“Upon inspection, the lorry was found to be loaded with cigarettes that are banned from being imported into the country worth RM258,800, while duty and tax for the smuggled items amounted to RM1.9mil.

“Following the raid, a 56-year-old local man, believed to be the driver of the lorry, was detained for investigations,” said Wan Apandi at the Customs Department office here yesterday, Bernama reported.

Wan Apandi said the lorry was believed to have been heading to Kuala Lumpur from an east coast state.

He did not rule out the possibility that the syndicate was using a false registration number for the lorry to fool the authorities.

The syndicate is believed to have sourced the smuggled cigarettes at the country’s border while the consignment would be taken to other locations for distribution.

Investigations will be carried out under the Customs Act 1967.