JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department recorded its biggest seizure of the year after confiscating 9.3 million illicit cigarettes worth RM8.5mil, including duties and taxes, concealed in a shipping container at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).
Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the seizure was made at about 2.30pm on May 18 following intelligence gathered by the department’s southern zone intelligence branch.
He added a team from the Container Control Unit (CCU) of the Gelang Patah enforcement branch inspected a 40ft container at a warehouse located within the PTP free zone area together with representatives of the shipping company.
"During the inspection, officers discovered various brands of illicit cigarettes suspected to be non-duty-paid," he told a press conference at Menara Kastam here on Wednesday (June 10).
Aminul Izmeer added initial checks revealed that the transshipment manifest declared the container as carrying "base paper reels".
"Investigations found that the container was believed to be en route from Vietnam to its final destination in Liverpool, England," he said, adding that the contraband was estimated to be worth RM2.1mil, with duties and taxes valued at RM6.3mil.
Aminul Izmeer said the case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for making false declarations on goods to facilitate the smuggling of non-duty-paid cigarettes.
He also urged the public to help combat smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs and vehicles by providing information through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, assuring that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
