KUALA LUMPUR: International tyre manufacturers will help inspect and verify the authenticity of about 18,000 tyres seized in Ops Grip by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday (Sept 30).
According to a source, the measure was taken to ascertain the status of the tyres seized in simultaneous raids at 23 locations across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.
"Initial investigations found that the smuggled tyres consisted of various categories, including new tyres that were not properly declared, used tyres, as well as retreaded tyres that did not meet safety standards,” the source said.
The source added that the smuggling activities had been under close surveillance by the MACC for about six months before the large-scale operation was launched.
So far, no arrest has been made, and investigations are still focused on tracing and seizing other assets suspected to have been obtained through money laundering activities.
"Investigations found that the activities involved submitting inaccurate import documents, including false declarations of value, classification, or quality certificates, to reduce the amount of tax payable,” the source said.
On Monday, MACC successfully uncovered tyre smuggling activities and the falsification of import and export documents, which are believed to have caused the government to lose about RM350mil in tax revenue since 2020.
The raids were carried out on several companies involved in the tyre import business, including warehouses and tyre storage containers nationwide.
Following the operation, the MACC also froze several individual and company bank accounts valued at an estimated RM70mil.- Bernama
