PUTRAJAYA: The crackdown on the large-scale tobacco, cigarettes and cigar smuggling syndicate was a direct result of the arrest of 10 people, including several senior military officers, under Ops Sohor, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said Ops Sikaro was a follow-up operation spearheaded by the MACC’s Special Operations Division with the support of Bank Negara, the Inland Revenue Board and Customs Department.
“Once we had sufficient evidence, we moved quickly and took action,” he told reporters during a special session with the media yesterday.
On Tuesday, the MACC raided several companies suspected of being involved in large-scale tobacco, cigarette and cigar smuggling activities, believed to have cost the government an estimated RM250mil in tax revenue over the past five years.
A total of 14 locations across the Klang Valley and Johor were targeted in Ops Sikaro.
Investigations are being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 as well as Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Azam explained that the multi-agency collaboration is crucial in strengthening enforcement efforts, especially against those involved in smuggling activities that have caused significant financial losses to the government.
“The public expects results, and we are determined to act decisively and productively,” he added, noting that the authorities’ priority in tackling crime and recovering assets lost through illicit activities remains.
Azam also urged the public to understand the challenges faced by enforcement agencies but assured them that swift action will continue to be taken to ensure accountability.
Sources said the MACC has recorded statements from 10 individuals and is investigating 14 companies believed to be linked to the syndicate busted in Ops Sikaro.
“The syndicate allegedly used false declarations during the import process by altering the Customs codes or product details.
“The contraband was then stored in private warehouses before being distributed to the market,” a source said.
Initial investigations suggest that the smuggling operation may have been facilitated by certain enforcement personnel who provided safe passage for the goods at entry points, protected storage facilities and failed to take enforcement action.
The source added that the syndicate is also suspected of having direct links with several Armed Forces personnel arrested during Ops Sohor on Aug 13, pointing to a wider protection network.
Following the operation, MACC froze several personal and corporate bank accounts worth around RM218mil.
