JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department has scored its biggest haul of smuggled cigarettes this year, netting contraband worth RM13.46mil including unpaid duties.
State Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the cigarettes were stashed inside a 40ft container in a warehouse at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) Duty Free Zone in Gelang Patah.
He said the container was inspected at 2.30pm on June 8 by a team from the Container Control Unit (CCU).
"The inspection was done with the representative of the delivery company and we discovered the cigarettes inside the container," Aminul told a press conference at Menara Kastam near here on Monday (June 29).
He said initial investigations found the cigarettes had been declared as transshipment goods, namely photovoltaic system components for solar panels.
"The container originated from a port in Guangzhou, China bound for Lisbon, Portugal," he added.
He said the seizure comprised 12 million cigarettes worth RM4.80mil with unpaid duties amounting to RM8.66mil.
"We are now tracking the syndicate involved in the smuggling attempt and the owner of the warehouse to assist with the investigation," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
Amirul urged those with information on smuggling activities in Johor to contact the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or go to the nearest Customs office.
