KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM5.9mil worth of contraband and other products were seized following a raid on a warehouse in Kapar.
The premises is believed to have been used as a temporary storage and distribution hub.
The seizure was made during an integrated operation codenamed Ops Taring Alpha in Kampung Sungai Serdang at about 12.10pm on Thursday (Aug 13).
The operation was led by Bukit Aman's Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) and the North Klang district police headquarters, with the cooperation of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Klang District Health Office, Selangor Health Department and the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK).
WCB/PSK commander Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said two Bangladeshi men working as warehouse workers and a local man, who is a company director, were detained during the raid.
"Checks found that the premises is believed to have been used as a temporary storage facility and collection hub before the goods were distributed to other locations nationwide.
"Among the items seized were 32,200 sticks of various brands of cigarettes believed to be duty-unpaid, valued at RM304,612, and 149 boxes of liquor worth about RM129,914.41.
"We also seized 167,526 boxes of Chinese food products valued at about RM3.9mil, as well as various Chinese cosmetics and health products worth about RM1.547mil," he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 14).
Initial investigations found that the warehouse had been operating for about 14 years and was believed to have been used to temporarily store products from China before they were sent to customers nationwide, he said.
"The case is being investigated under several laws, including the Customs Act 1967, Immigration Act 1959/63, Food Act 1983 and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, as well as the Poisons Act 1952.
"The two Bangladeshi workers are also being investigated for allegedly being in Malaysia without valid travel documents, while the company faces investigation for employing foreign workers without valid permits," SAC Mohd Zaki said.
Between Jan 1 and Aug 14, WCB/PSK had conducted 234 raids nationwide, resulting in the detention of 409 individuals.
"The raids involved offences related to smuggling duty-unpaid goods, leakage of controlled and subsidised goods, wildlife trafficking and e-waste activities.
"Some RM311.03mil worth of items were seized during that period," he said.
He said WCB/PSK would continue strengthening cooperation with relevant agencies and intelligence-sharing efforts to tackle organised crime, smuggling, illegal wildlife trade and cross-border crimes.
"There will be no compromise against any party involved in smuggling, illegal wildlife trade or cross-border crime," he said.
