RM1.3mil illegal shipment seized by Customs at Sandakan Airport
SANDAKAN: The Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle 100kg of pangolin scales worth RM1.3mil after intercepting the shipment at Sandakan Airport’s air cargo terminal, with investigators suspecting it was to be routed through Peninsular Malaysia before going overseas.
Sabah Customs director Dr Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman said the scales were discovered during a routine inspection at about 2.30pm on July 6.
Initial investigations found that the pangolin scales had been transported from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan by express bus before being sent to the airport’s air cargo facility.
He said the scales were packed in black plastic bags and concealed inside five polystyrene boxes, each weighing about 20kg.
“The syndicate is believed to have made a false declaration in Customs Form No. 3 by declaring the shipment as other merchandise for domestic delivery from Sandakan to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
“It is believed this was done to deceive Customs officers and avoid obtaining the export permit required from the Sabah Wildlife Department,” he told a press conference.
Ahmad Taufik said authorities believe the shipment was intended for export, although investigations are still ongoing to determine its final destination, adding that no arrests had been made.
He said the seized pangolin scales would be handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for safekeeping while investigations continue.
The seizure is the first pangolin scales case recorded by the state department this year.
It is also the largest such bust since Customs seized about 8,000kg of pangolin scales worth more than RM100mil at Sepanggar Port in 2017.
Ahmad Taufik said the pangolin scales seizure formed the bulk of four enforcement cases carried out by the Sandakan Customs enforcement division between June 3 and July 6, with the total value of seized goods, including duties and taxes, amounting to RM1,450,068.71.
