High demand for illicit cigarettes in KL, RM35mil seized in first six months this year
Kuala Lumpur Customs Department director Wan Norizan Wan Daud said the seizures were made between January and June.
She said that with contraband cigarettes being sold discreetly for as low as RM7 per pack, some smokers had a clear preference for illicit products rather than paying more for legitimate cigarettes.
"Our checks showed that the price varies according to location.
"We made a total of 160 seizures between January and June this year, resulting in RM35 million worth of illicit cigarettes being confiscated," she told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Customs Department office today.
She said that in the most recent case, 2,402,000 illicit cigarettes worth over RM2.07 million were seized in Klang.
"A raid was carried out at about 3am on July 9 by the Kuala Lumpur Customs Enforcement Division, following a public tip-off received three hours earlier.
"Based on intelligence gathered since midnight, our team raided a container parking lot at Jalan Telekom, Kampung Johan Setia, Klang, and found imported contraband cigarettes suspected to be prohibited goods," she said.
She said the cigarettes were stored in a 40-foot container that had been converted into a permanent storage facility before being distributed to local suppliers, with a market value of around RM7 per pack.
Wan Norizan said the cigarettes were believed to have been smuggled by sea.
"This case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for storing or possessing uncustomed goods or prohibited imports," she said.
She urged the public to assist the department in combating smuggling crimes, particularly involving cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, drugs, and vehicles, and advised against engaging in such activities.
"Smuggling not only causes national revenue losses due to leakage but also poses threats to national security and the well-being of the people," she said.
The public can provide information on smuggling activities by calling the department's toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855or contacting the nearest Customs office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Kelantan JKDM seizes RM600k chewing tobacco in smuggling bust
PASIR MAS: The Kelantan branch of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) intercepted a large-scale smuggling operation involving chewing tobacco valued at over RM626,000, including unpaid taxes. The raid took place in Kampung Kukang, Kadok near Kota Bharu, targeting illegal distribution of various tobacco brands. Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long, director of Kelantan JKDM, confirmed the seizure of six vehicles during the early morning operation on Aug 4. The confiscated items included a three-tonne Isuzu lorry and five Pajero four-wheel-drive vehicles loaded with 122 boxes of chewing tobacco. Authorities estimated the tobacco weighed 2,587.5 kg and was suspected to have entered Malaysia illegally via border 'rat lanes.' The total value of the seized goods, including vehicles, reached RM474,512.50, with unpaid taxes amounting to RM151,536.93. Investigations revealed the smuggled tobacco was likely destined for the Klang Valley market, catering to local consumers and migrant workers from Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh. A 29-year-old lorry driver was arrested under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967 to assist in the probe. Offenders convicted under this law face fines of at least 10 times the customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and possible imprisonment. Wan Jamal urged the public to report smuggling activities via the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, with guaranteed confidentiality. He warned that smuggling not only deprives the government of revenue but also endangers public safety and well-being. - Bernama
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Barnama
Kelantan JKDM Seizes Chewing Tobacco Worth Over RM600,000 Including Taxes
PASIR MAS, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan branch of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) thwarted an attempt to distribute various brands of chewing tobacco worth over RM626,000 including taxes in an operation at Kampung Kukang, Kadok near Kota Bharu recently. Its director, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said that in a raid at approximately 4.30 am on Aug 4, a JKDM team from the Rantau Panjang enforcement branch, in collaboration with the Eastern Intelligence Zone through 'Operation Macan Legit II', seized six vehicles: a three-tonne Isuzu lorry and five Pajero four-wheel-drive vehicles. "The inspection of these vehicles found 122 boxes of chewing tobacco, weighing 2,587.5 kilogrammes (kg), believed to have been illegally imported through 'rat lanes' at the border," he told reporters here today. The value of the chewing tobacco seizure is estimated at RM59,512.50, while the total value of the seizure, including vehicles, amounted to RM474,512.50, with total taxes involved at RM151,536.93," he told reporters at a press conference here today. He said all the goods were believed to be for the Klang Valley market, specifically for use by local consumers and workers from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh. He said a 29-year-old man, the lorry driver, was also arrested to assist in the investigation under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. "If offenders are found guilty, they can be fined not less than 10 times the amount of the Customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is greater, and not exceeding 20 times the amount of the Customs duty or RM500,000, or imprisonment for a term of between six months and five years, or both," he also said. Wan Jamal Abdul Salam also urged the public to provide information regarding any smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, with the assurance that the informant's identity will be kept confidential. "Smuggling not only causes a loss of state revenue but can also threaten the safety and well-being of the people," he added.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Customs seize 2.5 tonnes of smuggled chewing tobacco worth RM60,000 in Kota Baru
RANTAU PANJANG: The Kelantan Customs Department seized 2.5 tonnes of smuggled chewing tobacco worth nearly RM60,000 during an operation in Kota Baru on Aug 4. Also seized were a lorry and five four-wheel-drive vehicles valued at over RM400,000. Kelantan Customs director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said a 29-year-old lorry driver was arrested during the operation, while the drivers of the other vehicles managed to flee. "The operation was conducted in a residential area in Kadok, Kota Baru, following public tip-offs. "Around 4.30am, Customs officers raided the location and found 122 boxes of chewing tobacco. "We managed to arrest the lorry driver, while the others escaped on foot," he said at a press conference today. Wan Jamal said initial investigations revealed that the chewing tobacco, valued at RM23 per kg, was intended for distribution in the Klang Valley. "Our probe also found that the tobacco was smuggled into Kelantan from a neighbouring country via illegal jetties along the border. "There is high demand for this product from both locals and foreigners," he added. He said this was the first chewing tobacco seizure by the department this year. Chewing tobacco is strictly prohibited for import into Malaysia, under Item 66 of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. Smuggling is an offence under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. If found guilty, offenders face a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of customs duty or RM100,000 (whichever is higher), and up to 20 times the duty amount or RM500,000, or imprisonment of between six months and five years, or both.
