JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle Zamzam water into the country with the seizure of nearly 108,000 litres of the liquid.
Its director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said 21,582 bottles of water worth RM2.58mil were found at the container inspection bay of the Johor Free Port Zone between Aug 5 and 14.
The items, which were kept in four 40-foot, or 12-metre, containers, carried duties amounting to RM647,460.
“Zamzam water is a banned substance, where its import is permitted on condition of having an import licence as per Item 35, Part I, Third Schedule, Customs Order (Prohibition on Imports) 2023.
“However (in this case), no such import permit was presented,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
He added that the case is being investigated under Regulation 30(1) of the Free Zones Regulations 1991.
In another case, Aminul Izmeer said 256 boxes containing electronic cigarette refill liquid valued at RM46,080 were seized during an inspection of a lorry at the export inspection bay of the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex on Aug 6.
He added that the inspection was carried out after the scanner detected images that looked suspicious.
“Upon inspection, we found 84 units of Bobbins Automotive Wire in the lorry (as declared) and 256 boxes of e-liquid pods hidden in the back of the driver’s seat that were undeclared and meant for export,” he said.
He said the duties for all 7,680 units of the e-liquid pods in the boxes were estimated at RM9,676.
The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act of 1967.
