PETALING JAYA: Nearly RM1.19mil worth of drugs, cash and liquor linked to smuggling syndicates were seized by the Customs Department at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last month.
KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said the first case involved an attempt by an Indonesian traveller to smuggle RM129,500 in cash at the satellite building of KLIA Terminal 1’s international departure hall on April 2.
He said the second case involved the seizure of 17,043.60 litres of liquor of various brands worth RM221,566.80 on April 23.
The unpaid duties and taxes for the liquor amounted to RM430,835.64.
He said the syndicate’s modus operandi was to store and conceal untaxed liquor in an industrial area in Seri Kembangan to avoid detection by the authorities.
The cash smuggling case is being investigated under Section 28B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, while the liquor smuggling case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Zulkifli said the third and fourth cases involved attempts by three individuals to smuggle drugs overseas through the international departure gate at Terminal 1, KLIA.
He said separate operations led to the seizure of suspected ketamine worth RM407,775.
“On April 24 at about 9.20am, a Malaysian man was detained while attempting to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong.
“Scans on the suspect’s luggage revealed suspicious images believed to be dangerous drugs.
“Further inspection uncovered suspected ketamine weighing 3.6719kg, with an estimated value of RM183,595,” he said.
Zulkifli said that on April 27 at about 5.17pm, the Customs Enforcement Division, with the cooperation of Aviation Security and Malaysia Airports KLIA, detained two Malaysian women at the International Departure Gate of Terminal 1, KLIA, while they were attempting to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei, Taiwan.
“Scans on the luggage carried by both suspects revealed suspicious images believed to be dangerous drugs.
“Further checks uncovered suspected ketamine weighing 4.4836kg worth RM224,180,” he said.
He said the syndicates used hand-carry luggage as their modus operandi to smuggle drugs for distribution while attempting to evade detection by the authorities.
The drug cases are being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
