KUALA LUMPUR: Five people have been detained and various smuggled goods worth about RM12.8mil seized following raids on two premises used as temporary storage and collection centres before distribution to local customers.
The suspects are believed to be involved in smuggling activities and breaches of import regulations in Kuala Lumpur and Klang, Selangor.
The operations were carried out on Aug 5 by the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA), in collaboration with various enforcement agencies through intelligence sharing and surveillance.
Bukit Aman KDNKA deputy director Comm Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said Ops Taring Alpha 2 in Kuala Lumpur led to the arrest of three suspects comprising two Myanmar nationals and a local man.
“Most of the goods are believed to have been brought in through ports using documents declaring contents that differed from the actual goods.
“The activities are also believed to have been ongoing for more than six months,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman.
He said raids at two locations in Kuala Lumpur resulted in the seizure of alcoholic beverages of various brands, as well as food and beverage products from China, with a total estimated value of RM5.1mil.
The seizures included 112 cans and 3,696 bottles of alcoholic beverages of various brands worth about RM2.57mil, as well as 4,092 bottles of Zongpi CR alcoholic beverages worth about RM2.7mil.
Police also seized various food and beverage products from China worth about RM56,000.
Meanwhile, Muhammad said Ops Taring Alpha 5 in Klang led to the arrest of two local men and the seizure of various goods worth about RM7.7mil.
The seizures included alcoholic beverages from China worth RM2.1mil, 245 cartons of white cigarettes containing 49,000 sticks worth nearly RM300,000, and 1,800 helmets valued at RM1.8mil.
“Other items seized included 780 sets of mobile phone accessories worth RM936,000, beauty products worth RM2.2mil, and 260 potted bonsai trees of various sizes and types worth RM260,000,” he said.
In a separate development, Comm Muhammad said 240 raids conducted nationwide had resulted in the arrest of 413 individuals, with the total value of seizures amounting to RM314mil.
