Melaka Customs foils smuggling of imported rice, ciggies, liquor worth over RM6 million
Its director, Nadzri Che Ani said his department seized 28 containers holding 623,000 kilogrammes (kg) of rice, estimated to be worth RM5.23 million including tax duty, at Port Klang, Selangor on Jan 20 and Feb 6.
'A check on Customs Form 1 found that the goods were declared as 'sodium chloride' (salt) and the inspection found that each container held a total of 70 sacks of white powder (salt) and 445 sacks of rice.
'The sacks containing rice were fraudulently hidden at the back and the sacks of salt were placed at the front of the container door,' he said at a press conference here today.
Elaborating further, Nadzri said that the goods were likely imported from India for the local market and the owner of the importer company and shipping agent were detained for further investigation.
He stated that rice is classified as a prohibited item under Item 25, Third Schedule/Part 1 of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023 and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
Meanwhile, he said JKDM also seized liquor, worth RM499,621 including duty, in raids at two locations on March 7 and April 11 in Johor Bahru.
'In the operation, a total of 8,585 litres of liquor were seized from three multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). A physical inspection of the seized goods showed that the liquor had a 'Malaysian Duty Not Paid' status and was an abuse of the exemption given in the (Forest City) duty-free island area,' he said.
Meanwhile, Nadzri said his party also seized a total of 1.1 million cigarettes, worth RM822,800 including duties, in Muar, Johor on April 5 which were stored in an unoccupied warehouse in a durian orchard.
He said the offences in all three cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
'JKDM also calls on the public to cooperate by providing information regarding any smuggling activities by contacting the Customs toll-free line number at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office in all states,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Sarawak Customs seizes RM11.88 million in contraband cigarettes
KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department Sarawak branch has seized undeclared cigarettes with a total value estimated at RM11,880,000. This figure includes both the goods' value and the tax evaded. The raid occurred at a warehouse in Demak Industrial Park last month. Director Norizan Yahya confirmed the operation's details. A team from the Land Operations Unit and the headquarters' intelligence branch conducted the raid on July 29 at about 4 pm. They also arrested a man in his 50s believed to be the warehouse manager. 'An inspection revealed various brands of cigarettes believed to have been brought in from Indonesia as prohibited goods stored in the premises,' he stated. 'The seizure was estimated at RM3.6 million while total duty and tax was RM8.28 million, making the total seizure worth RM11.88 million,' he said at a press conference. He clarified the legal status of the goods. Cigarettes are categorised as prohibited goods under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. Their importation requires a specific permit. He detailed the syndicate's method of operation. Their modus operandi was to conceal contraband in premises storing licenced goods. The prohibited goods were then transported elsewhere for distribution. The investigation is being conducted under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. This section pertains to concealing uncustomed goods. If convicted, offenders face a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both penalties. - Bernama
Borneo Post
16 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Customs seizes contraband cigarettes worth RM11.9 mln in Kuching raid
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram KUCHING (Aug 20): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department Sarawak has seized 12 million sticks of contraband cigarettes valued at RM11.88 million, including duties and taxes, in a raid at Demak Laut Industrial Park here on July 29. Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the enforcement operation was carried out by the department's Kuching Land Operations Unit following intelligence gathered by the intelligence branch. 'On July 29, 2025, at about 4pm, acting on information received, a team of customs officers raided a warehouse at Demak Laut Industrial Park that was being used to store cigarettes suspected to be uncustomed goods. 'The raid led to the seizure of 12 million sticks of cigarettes valued at RM3.6 million, with unpaid duties and taxes amounting to RM8.28 million, bringing the total estimated value to RM11.88 million,' he told a press conference at Wisma Kastam Medan Raya here today. Norizan said checks revealed the premises was partly used to store legitimate dutiable goods, while another section was used to keep contraband cigarettes. The cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled in from Indonesia, were meant for local distribution. A local man in his 50s, believed to be the warehouse manager and owner, was arrested during the raid but later released on bail pending investigation. Norizan stressed that action against smuggling syndicates must be stepped up as the illegal trade continues to thrive, particularly in regions with high cigarette taxes. 'When the tax on cigarettes is higher than the actual value of the cigarettes themselves, the more they are smuggled, the more profit syndicates stand to gain,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Calling for public cooperation, Norizan urged Malaysians to assist Customs in combating smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles, and other restricted goods. 'Smuggling not only causes revenue losses to the country but also poses threats to national security and the well-being of the people,' he said. Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are encouraged to contact the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, and their identities will be kept strictly confidential.
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Sarawak Customs seizes almost RM12mil worth of contraband cigarettes
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya (centre) showing the seized cigarettes at the department headquarters. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department has seized contraband cigarettes worth an estimated RM11.88mil, including unpaid duties and taxes, from a warehouse here. Sabah Customs director Norizan Yahya said enforcement officers, acting on intelligence from headquarters, raided the premises at Demak Laut Industrial Park at about 4pm on July 29 and seized 12 million sticks of undeclared cigarettes. "The cigarettes were valued at RM3.6mil and the unpaid duties estimated at RM8.28mil," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (Aug 20). Norizan said a local man aged 54 was arrested during the raid and subsequently released on a RM50,000 bond. Initial investigations found that the warehouse was used to store undeclared items, he said. The case is still being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act and offenders can be fined up to RM500,000, or jailed not more than five years, or both. He urged the public to report smuggling activities to the Customs hotline at 1-800 888 855 or the nearest Customs office, adding that all information will be kept confidential.
