SEPANG: An attempt to smuggle 30 servers containing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips worth RM49.5mil was foiled at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Free Trade Zone.
These AI chips could potentially be used in weapons development, said KLIA Customs director Aspalila AG Tuah.
“Initial investigations found that the servers had been brought into the free trade zone from an Asian country under a single air waybill,” she told a press conference.
She said the servers were destined for re-export to another Asian country when the shipment was uncovered on Oct 15.
“The items were declared as generic electronic components to evade detection,” she added.
Aspalila said the syndicate was believed to have used Malaysia as a transit point to avoid restrictions when the servers were exported to the next destination.
The company handling the shipment has been called in to assist, she said.
She said this was the fifth such case recorded this year, with the total value of seizures exceeding RM100mil.
The cases are believed to involve the same syndicate.
Aspalila reminded logistics players that anyone exporting, transshipping, or bringing in designated advanced AI chips as transit cargo must obtain permit clearance from the Strategic Trade Secretariat under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
In a separate development, KLIA Customs foiled two attempts to smuggle 16.39kg of cannabis buds and ketamine, with a combined value of RM1.03mil.
Aspalila said the first case involved the seizure of seven boxes containing 7.28kg of cannabis buds worth RM582,400 at the Pos Malaysia International Mail Centre at KLIA on Oct 12.
The drugs were believed to have been intended for export to a European country.
“Customs officers found airtight transparent plastic packages suspected of containing cannabis buds concealed in boxes declared as shoes and toys,” she said.
In the second case, enforcement officers seized a box containing nine aluminium packets filled with 9.114kg of ketamine worth RM455,700 at a cargo terminal in the KLIA Free Trade Zone on Oct 9.
The narcotics were brought in via air cargo, concealed in aluminium packets inside boxes falsely declared as pipe wrenches and toolboxes.
The shipment, which originated from a European country, was believed to have been destined for Kuala Lumpur.
