BUTTERWORTH: A 64-year-old man was detained in connection with the seizure of 28 tonnes of dangerous and prohibited fireworks and firecrackers worth over RM300,000.
State Customs director Rohaizad Ali said the suspect was picked up at a warehouse at the Perai Industrial Area in Taman Nagasari on March 11.
He said seven containers with 28,780kg of fireworks and firecrackers of various brands without a permit were seized.
Among the items confiscated were Happy Boom Top Gun, Happy Boom Fireworks and Cake Repeater.
“Investigation showed that the seized fireworks and firecrackers did not meet the Home Ministry’s import permit requirements.
“The total value of the confiscated items was RM360,767.50,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Rohaizad said fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited unless the importer holds a licence under Item 46, Part I, Schedule Three of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
He said the case would be investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act for knowingly protecting, storing, concealing or possessing goods with duties unpaid or prohibited goods.
If convicted, the court may impose a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and not exceeding 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Since 2018, only 45 types of fireworks from two specific brands – Pop-Pop and HappyBoom – are legal for sale to the public.
