PETALING JAYA: Police have busted a syndicate involved in the smuggling and distribution of duty-unpaid liquor worth RM1.9mil following raids in Puchong and Klang, Selangor, on Thursday (July 30).
Bukit Aman Wildlife Crime Control Bureau / Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) commander Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said five individuals, including two foreigners aged 25 to 35, were arrested during the operation.
"Police seized 389 crates and 255 boxes of various brands of liquor, two lorries and five mobile phones, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM1,900,926.30," he said in a statement on Saturday (Aug 1).
SAC Mohd Zaki said investigations found that the syndicate had been actively storing, distributing and selling illicit liquor since 2024, with Pandamaran, Bukit Tinggi and Port Klang identified as among its main distribution areas.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He said that between January and July this year, the WCB/PSK recorded 21 cases involving duty-unpaid liquor, resulting in 43 arrests and seizures worth RM38.7mil nationwide.
In a separate operation on Friday (July 31), the WCB/PSK, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), rescued 89 protected turtles worth RM190,000 during raids in Lunas and Kulim, Kedah.
Mohd Zaki said a local man in his 30s was arrested in the operation, which saw the seizure of 74 Sulcata tortoises and 15 Yellow Pond turtles.
"Also seized during the integrated Khazanah Operation (Brian Exotic) were a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a mobile phone. The case is being investigated under Section 61 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010," he said.
He added that between January and July this year, the integrated Khazanah Operation recorded 53 cases, 56 arrests and total seizures worth RM93,884,589.
