JOHOR BARU: The Customs Department has managed to foil smuggling attempts in five separate raids across the state between July and August 2024, resulting in the seizure of contraband cigarettes and alcohol worth RM11.7mil.
Johor Customs Department director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said that the syndicate’s modus operandi involved making false declarations of goods to evade detection by Customs officers.
“The first raid was conducted on July 17, where a container that was falsely declared as carrying plastic items was intercepted at Tanjung Pelepas Port.
“Upon inspection, officers discovered the container was loaded with undeclared cigarettes.
“The container was marked for transhipment from Singapore and was heading towards China and contained goods valued at RM8.4mil,” he said during a press conference at Menara Kastam Johor here on Sunday (Sept 29).
He added that the second raid was conducted on July 18 where another container of contraband alcohol was detained at Pasir Gudang Port.
“The container had been falsely declared as carrying ‘Chinese prayer accessories’. The seized items were valued more than RM1mil including taxes,” he said.
The third raid was on August 16 where the Enforcement Division raided a warehouse in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur.
“The warehouse, located in an industrial area, was suspected of being used by a syndicate as a storage facility for undeclared cigarettes and alcohol before distribution to the public.
“Goods valued at RM768,426 were confiscated (including tax),” he said.
The fourth raid was conducted on Aug 17 where the department seized RM8567,862 worth of undeclared cigarettes and alcohol at the Import Branch of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar.
“A lorry that was passing through the 'Empty Truck Lane' was found to be loaded with contraband; the truck was abandoned, and the driver fled the scene.
“The fifth raid was on Aug 20, where enforcement officers stopped a suspicious vehicle in a car park at Taman Impian Emas.
“The vehicle was found to be carrying undeclared cigarettes worth RM539,000, suspected for public distribution,” he said, adding that all of the cases are investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.
