IPOH: Smuggled goods with an excise duty value of about RM2.2mil have been seized by the Customs Department during its "Macan Legit II" operation this month.
Perak Customs Department director Mohd Nadzri Ariffin said the items seized included cigarettes, kretek, rice, alcohol and frozen chicken tails.
He said 26 cases have been opened during the anti-smuggling operation.
"In one operation at Kampung Keramat in Bagan Serai on August 6, we raided an empty house and found various brands of cigarettes and kreteks worth about RM22,511, with about RM139,729 in excise duty.
These items are restricted under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order," he said at a press conference on Tuesday (Aug 26).
"We believe the items were being stored at the premises before being sold locally," he added, noting that investigations are ongoing.
In another case, Mohd Nadzri said a 38-year-old lorry driver was arrested and various types of alcohol seized in Sitiawan.
"We stopped and checked a bonded truck and found alcohol worth about RM138,462, with excise duty of about RM178,163.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act," he said, adding that the driver remains in remand.
"First-time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the value of the items or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or jailed up to five years, or both," he added.
In another case, Mohd Nadzri said about RM275,500 worth of frozen chicken tails, with an excise duty of about RM13,775 were found in a container at Port Klang on August 12.
"A check with Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) found the items were imported from China without a permit.
Only two companies are allowed to import this food and the consignment was not by them," he said, adding the seized items weighed about 29,000kg.
He said they also raided a godown in Shah Alam and found 6.6 tonnes of rice illegally imported from Bangladesh on August 14.
"The rice is worth about RM29,691, including duty. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act," he said.
He urged the public to report smuggling activities to the Customs Department and not to get involved in such offences.
"Smuggling not only causes loss to the country but also threatens national security and public wellbeing.
Information on smuggling can be reported via the Customs Toll Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or to any of its state offices," he said.
