KUALA LUMPUR: A company owner has been remanded over his alleged involvement in a syndicate that submitted false import declarations to the Customs Department at Port Klang.
Magistrate Ezrene Zakaria granted a five-day remand order until Sunday (April 26) against the suspect following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (April 22).
Sources said the suspect, a male in his 30s, was arrested at about 5pm on Tuesday (April 22) during an operation carried out by the MACC’s Special Operations Division around the Klang Valley.
"Initial investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly been involved in the offence since 2020, acting as a runner for individuals, companies and forwarding agents managing the entry of imported goods at Port Klang.
"He is also believed to be part of a syndicate involved in smuggling contraband goods from various exporting countries using a trade-based money laundering modus operandi," a source said.
On Tuesday (April 21), a joint operation codenamed Ops Celio, involving the MACC and the Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF), comprising the Inland Revenue Board, Customs Department and Bank Negara Malaysia, was conducted.
"Searches were carried out at 14 locations, including company premises and residences linked to the suspect in the Klang Valley.
"The operation targeted 28 entities, including companies and individuals such as importers, forwarding agents and middlemen suspected of submitting false declarations on the quantity and type of imported goods to Customs to evade or reduce import duties," the source said.
Investigators also believe the syndicate bribed enforcement officers to protect its illegal activities and was involved in money laundering worth millions of ringgit.
The MACC has frozen 133 personal and company bank accounts amounting to approximately RM160mil.
The activities are estimated to have caused the government losses of about RM1.5bil in customs duties over a five-year period.
MACC senior director of the Special Operations Division Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the operation when contacted, adding that the case is being investigated under Sections 16 and 17 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
He added that Ops Celio will continue, targeting a further 14 premises, including residences, companies and forwarding agents in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kelantan.
