PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has crippled a tobacco and cigar smuggling syndicate believed to have caused more than RM250mil in tax revenue losses between 2020 and 2024.
The operation, codenamed Op Sikaro, was carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s Special Operations Division with the cooperation of the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Customs Department.
Raids were conducted at 14 locations across the Klang Valley and Johor on Tuesday (Aug 19).
According to sources, enforcement teams targeted business premises and company owners involved in the tobacco, cigar and liquor distribution trade.
"Following the raids, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission froze personal and company bank accounts amounting to RM218mil," the source said.
Customs also suspended the import licences of several companies identified as being part of the smuggling network pending further investigations.
It is believed that the syndicate had the cooperation of certain enforcement officers.
Investigations will also focus on tracing and seizing assets acquired through money laundering activities.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the raids.
He said investigations are being conducted under Section 16 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will not compromise with any parties seeking to profit through corruption, money laundering and smuggling, which cause huge losses to the country," he said.
