KUALA LUMPUR: The freezing of bank accounts valued at RM70mil is among the actions taken following Ops Grip, conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday (Sept 29), targeting a tyre smuggling syndicate, Sinar Harian reports.
The MACC said that the freezing involves personal and company accounts identified as being linked to the investigation, the Malay language daily reported.
"The freeze will be applied to personal bank accounts, as well as company accounts, with a total estimated amount of RM70mil.
"The investigation also focuses on efforts to trace and seize other assets suspected to have been acquired either by Customs officers or tyre importing companies through money laundering activities," it said in a statement Tuesday (Sept 30).
It noted that 23 main locations were inspected, involving tyre importing companies, including six warehouses and storage containers around the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor.
"All the involved warehouses and containers were seized, with an estimated 17,672 tyres confiscated for authenticity inspection alongside international brand owners such as Michelin and Goodyear, as well as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry," it said.
The investigation is now focusing on offences under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
"All these actions are part of ongoing investigations to ensure those involved are brought to justice," it added.
Sinar Harian previously reported that the MACC had launched a crackdown on tyre smuggling and document forgery in import and export through raids on 23 locations around the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor on Monday.
The raid, through Ops Grip, was led by the MACC's Special Operations Division in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
The operation directly targeted the involved syndicate, which has caused the government an estimated tax revenue loss of RM350mil since 2020.
