Cigarette smuggling syndicate busted using abandoned building as storage facility
SEPANG: The Customs Department has uncovered a smuggling syndicate that used a dilapidated and seemingly abandoned building as a storage facility for contraband cigarettes.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said the syndicate's modus operandi was uncovered following a raid on May 22 at a dilapidated building near a residential area in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
He said the abandoned building had been used as a storage facility for smuggled white cigarettes in an attempt to evade detection by authorities, with the structure, in its run-down condition, appeared unsuspicious and would typically go unnoticed.
"Following the raid, nearly 1.9 million sticks of cigarettes of various brands and 377kg of tobacco, with the total market value, including duties and taxes, estimated at over RM1.56 million were seized," he said in a press conference today.
He said efforts were underway to trace the owner of the premises to assist in the investigation, which is being conducted under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli also revealed that Customs had successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 62,000 litres of nicotine-laced electronic cigarette liquid during an operation at the premises of an air cargo terminal operator in the KLIA Free Trade Zone on April 28.
He said the syndicate had attempted to deceive authorities by falsely declaring the product as disposable electronic cigarettes, which do not require an import licence from the Health Ministry.
"Nicotine is classified as a prohibited item under Item 4, Schedule II, Part I of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023, and its importation is only allowed with a valid licence from the MOH.
"The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM334,000, with duties and taxes amounting to RM60,680," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Regulation 30 (1) of the Free Zone Regulations 1991.
– Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
an hour ago
- Sinar Daily
KLIA Customs officers foil RM2.65 million drug smuggling attempts
A man was arrested for trying to smuggle out 14.65 kg of cannabis buds worth almost RM1.44 million in his checked baggage on a flight to a European country. 19 Jun 2025 08:26pm KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad (middle) showing the items seized during a press conference, today. - Photo by Bernama KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad (middle) showing the items seized during a press conference, today. - Photo by Bernama SEPANG - Customs officers have foiled multiple attempts to smuggle 30.14 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs estimated to be worth RM2.65 million through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said that on April 17, a man was arrested for trying to smuggle out 14.65 kg of cannabis buds worth almost RM1.44 million in his checked baggage on a flight to a European country. He said the man was subjected to a baggage inspection after his travel was blocked by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) due to a blacklist record. "During the baggage scan, the man attempted to flee but was apprehended by Customs personnel. "The inspection found that the cannabis buds were packed in vacuum-sealed plastic to avoid detection," he told a press conference today. Zulkifli said on May 16, Customs found 5.31 kg of ecstasy worth almost RM900,000 that was being smuggled in through a consignment at a cargo terminal operator in the KLIA Free Trade Zone. He said the drugs, believed to have originated from a European country, were packaged and declared as laptop components. Then, on May 24, he said that 10.18 kg of syabu, worth nearly RM300,000, concealed in a consignment along with clothing, was also intercepted. He said investigations into both drug shipments are underway, but face obstacles as the smugglers were likely using fake company names and addresses. "We have gone to the (premises) as declared in the consignment information, but the company either does not exist or is using someone else's address," he said. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Tenaganita commends RM1.55 million payout order to Bangladeshi workers
KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights organisation Tenaganita has commended a recent decision by the Kuala Lumpur Labour Department, which ordered Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd to pay nearly RM1.55 million in unpaid wages and related violations to 74 Bangladeshi migrant workers. The payment, totaling RM1,548,000, follows claims filed by the workers through Tenaganita for unpaid wages and related labour violations. Tenaganita executive director Glorene A Das said the latest development represents a significant step forward in the fight for justice and dignity for migrant workers in Malaysia. "The decision affirms that employers must be held accountable for their obligations and that the rights of workers, particularly migrant workers who are often silenced and made invisibilise, must be asserted without compromise," she said in a statement. The case saw the workers, including lead claimant Md Kabir Hossain, pay exorbitant recruitment fees of up to RM25,000 to secure jobs promised under official permits. However, upon arrival in Malaysia, they were left without employment, wages, or adequate living conditions, exposed to legal risks and mental distress. The workers lived for months in overcrowded and unsanitary hostels in Pudu, without income or support, some even contemplating suicide due to the desperation they endured. The case was led by Tenaganita's consultant and lead case officer Abdul Aziz bin Ismail. Aziz, in response to the decision said; "It has been a long and winding road, but we finally have a decision and an order from the Labour Department. This is a significant achievement for the workers and for Tenaganita. It sets yet another precedent that even large, seemingly untouchable companies can be held accountable when workers stand united and demand justice." By ordering Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd to pay the amounts due, the department has sent a clear message that employers cannot exploit workers with impunity." Such a case was not isolated. "Tenaganita has documented hundreds of similar cases involving fraud, deception, and labour rights violations under the pretense of legal recruitment. We raised these issues in our International Migrants Day 2024 statement, highlighting the systemic failures that have plagued Malaysia's labour migration governance. "Tenaganita continues to urge the government to ensure that the payment is made promptly and in full, and that systemic reform is undertaken to prevent similar abuses in the future. We also call on the authorities to take proactive steps to identify other affected workers and ensure they too have access to redress.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Five Bruneians arrested for role in international drug syndicate
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Five Bruneian men aged between 22 and 38 have been arrested for their involvement in a cross-border drug smuggling operation orchestrated by an international drug syndicate, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) revealed in a statement on Thursday (June 19). The suspects were apprehended at various locations across the country during the final week of May 2025 as part of Operasi POTTER, a targeted enforcement effort led by the bureau. Investigations found that the individuals had been recruited by a foreign-based syndicate to act as couriers for delivering cannabis to destinations in Europe through third countries. Four of the suspects had reportedly completed multiple successful smuggling trips, handing over the drugs to syndicate members at pre-arranged locations abroad. One suspect, meanwhile, served as a recruiter, enlisting locals into the syndicate's operations in exchange for commissions for each successful delivery. NCB estimates that the total financial gain from their smuggling activities amounted to approximately BND21,000, while the total volume of cannabis trafficked reached 68 kilogrammes, with a street value exceeding BND1 million at the destination countries. The syndicate's modus operandi involved concealing drugs in specially modified luggage and fully covering all travel costs — including accommodation, airfare, and ground transport — as an incentive for locals to participate. Recruits were also encouraged to bring in new members to ensure the continuity of the trafficking operation. NCB expressed deep concern over the involvement of Bruneians in serious criminal activities abroad and reminded the public to remain vigilant against offers of quick financial gain, which could ultimately lead to severe legal consequences, imprisonment, or personal harm overseas. 'Participation in criminal activity, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is not a defensible excuse under foreign laws,' the bureau warned. The NCB also extended its appreciation to both local and international intelligence and enforcement agencies for their collaboration in ensuring the success of this operation. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
