Latest news with #CustomsDepartment
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
MACC seizes over RM332mil in assets in major scrap metal smuggling probe
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen and seized assets worth over RM332 million as part of an extensive investigation into a scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicate, which allegedly bribed enforcement officers, leading to a loss of over RM950 million in export tax revenue over the past six years. An MACC source reported that 27 witnesses have been questioned so far, including a primary suspect whose statement was recorded on Monday (July 21). No arrests have been made at this stage. "MACC has frozen 324 bank accounts, comprising 142 corporate accounts and 182 individual accounts, totalling nearly RM150mil. Assets seized so far amount to about RM183mil," the source said, adding that investigations are ongoing. Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, senior director of MACC's Special Operations Division, confirmed these developments and stated that MACC is actively identifying those involved in the syndicate and scrutinising financial links between suspects and the implicated companies. The investigation is being conducted under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for bribery and false claims, as well as potential offences under anti-money laundering laws. Collaborating agencies, including the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Customs Department, and Bank Negara, are pursuing related offences under the Income Tax Act 1967 and Customs Act 1967. On July 14, MACC launched a large-scale crackdown, targeting 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, and Kedah. The operation focused on a prominent scrap metal company owner with a 'Datuk' title. However, the suspect, believed to be a foreign national, was not at his Batu Maung home, having reportedly left the country two days prior. The team then moved to a scrap metal storage and processing facility on Jalan Bukit Minyak, mainland Penang, believed to belong to the suspect. For over six years, the syndicate exported scrap metal and e-waste to several countries, evading nearly RM1bil in export duties by falsely declaring cargo as machinery and other non-taxable metal goods to bypass the government's 15% export duty. Destinations included China, India, and others. The syndicate allegedly bribed Customs Department officers, establishing a corrupt network that operated undetected for years. MACC continued its crackdown with asset seizures of over RM183mil on July 15. The coordinated sweep at 13 locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley was conducted with the Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia as part of Ops Metal.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Endangered pythons, rabbits, parrots seized from passengers at Pune airport, animals to be sent back to Bangkok
Officials with the Customs Department on Tuesday arrested two passengers who arrived from Bangkok at Pune airport and seized smuggled exotic wild animals, including green tree pythons, double-eyed fig parrots, and Sumatran striped rabbits, from them. The endangered animals are set to be sent back to Thailand under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Pune Customs said. 'On specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers intercepted two passengers, namely Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, both landed at Pune from Bangkok on Air India Express Flight IX-241,' the Customs Department said in a statement. The accused possessed 14 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), of which 13 were alive and one dead, four double-eyed fig parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma), and two Sumatran striped rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri) from their possession. The animals were hidden in the baggage of the passengers, said an officer. 'A case under The Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, has been booked against them, and both the passengers are arrested. Further investigation is in progress,' the press statement said. Officials said that a probe has been launched to verify whether the passengers have any accomplices. Following the seizure, Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune, has sought the assistance of Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust for species verification, veterinary examination, and immediate triage of animals. RESQ team comprising veterinarians Dr Satvik Pathak and Dr Sushrut Shirbhate, along with Director Nachiket Utpat, wildlife technician Harshad Nagrare, and founder Neha Panchamiya, assisted the forest department. RESQ veterinarians are scheduled to revisit the animals for follow-up care and ensure stabilisation until deportation, officials said. Customs officials said that as the species were identified, the actions of the two arrested passengers were found to violate the CITES and Import rules, as import of live animals requires a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Licence. Provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act say that when living specimens of a species listed are seized under the Customs Act as a result of illegal import into India, the specimens are returned to the country of origin. Therefore, on completion of the Customs procedures and formalities, all the live animals will be returned to the origin country for better survival of the animals. If it is not feasible, these animals may also be temporarily rehabilitated to any of the recognised zoos by the Central Zoo Authority, officials said.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Johor Customs seizes 3.825kg of ganja in two major drug busts
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department has foiled two drug distribution attempts involving a total of 3.825kg of ganja. Its director, Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi, said the first case took place on May 21 in Pekan Nenas near Pontian, where the department's narcotics officers uncovered an attempt to distribute cannabis via a local courier service. 'During a detailed inspection of two parcels, our officers discovered compressed plant materials suspected to be ganja, weighing approximately 130g and 97g respectively,' he said here on Wednesday (July 16). Aminul Izmeer added that the seizure led to the arrest of a man believed to be the delivery agent. 'The suspect's arrest resulted in the discovery of a black bag containing another 55g of ganja, three bottles of cannabis smoking paraphernalia and a grinder. 'The total seizure for the case amounted to 762g of cannabis with an estimated street value of RM22,860,' he said, adding that the department also seized a RM10,000 motorcycle from the suspect. Aminul Izmeer said the syndicate's modus operandi involved using courier services to move drugs discreetly to avoid detection from authorities. Meanwhile, in another case, which occurred on June 5, the department's marine unit in Batu Pahat foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis via illegal maritime routes. 'Acting on a tip-off, enforcement officers raided an unregistered boat moored near the mangrove swamp around the Batu Pahat Ferry Terminal at about 8pm. 'The inspection led to the discovery of a bag containing three compressed blocks of ganja wrapped in Chinese tea packaging, hidden in the front section of the boat,' he said. Aminul Izmeer added that the seized drugs weighed 3.063kg and were valued at RM98,016, while the unregistered boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. He said the smugglers had used illegal waterways to traffic the drugs, and both cases were being probed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Aminul Izmeer urged the public to work together with the Customs Department to curb all forms of smuggling activities, including drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and vehicles. 'Smuggling activities not only cause revenue loss to the government but also pose serious security and safety threats to the public,' he said. He added that those with information on smuggling activities should contact the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or reach out to the nearest Customs office and assured them that their identities would be kept confidential.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
No proof of AI chip smuggling, says Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) has not found any evidence of incidents relating to the smuggling of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) chips, said its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He stated that the ministry has been working closely with authorities, including the police, the Customs Department, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), as well as industry players, to investigate the matter. 'So far, we have not found any (evidence). We have spoken to the United States and big players to cooperate and work with us. If there is any evidence, we will take action. The investigation continues,' he told a press conference on Miti's report card for the second quarter of 2025. According to Tengku Zafrul, the demand for AI chips in Malaysia has been high due to its growing data centre industry. 'I think that has raised some red flags because Malaysia has started to be a dominant player in the industry,' he said, Bernama reported. On Monday, Miti issued a new directive imposing immediate controls on the export, transshipment and transit of high-performance AI chips of US origin within Malaysia under Section 12 of the Strategic Trade Act 2010. Tengku Zafrul emphasised that the government is dedicated to fostering a transparent and lawful trading environment for all partners and investors. 'We aim to ensure responsible trade practices, and we are currently reviewing the inclusion of AI chips in the Strategic Item List (SIL). 'We also want to make sure that we comply with international standards and obligations, he said, adding that it is to avoid secondary sanctions for the sake of the nation's industry and economy,' he said.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘Ops Metal continues': MACC raids two Penang e-waste plants over RM950m losses
BUTTERWORTH, July 16 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday raided two electronic waste (e-waste) recycling factories suspected of bribing enforcement officers, leading to significant tax revenue losses. The coordinated raids, conducted at 9 am under Op Metal, targeted one factory on Jalan Perusahaan Perai 3 in the Perai Industrial Area and another in Bukit Minyak, Bukit Mertajam. The action follows the recent exposure of a scrap metal smuggling syndicate, in which scrap metal was falsely declared as machinery and other items not subject to the government's 15 percent export tax. Now in its second day, Op Metal is being led by MACC's Special Operations Division in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Bank Negara Malaysia under a multi-agency task force. MACC's Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad secured both premises, documented 25 local and foreign workers, and detained a man in his 50s, believed to be the chief operating officer, for further questioning and document retrieval. Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that 13 additional locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor and the Klang Valley were raided today. 'MACC is now identifying those colluding with the syndicate that smuggled scrap metal and e-waste through Port Klang and Penang Port, causing an estimated tax loss of over RM950 million over the past six years,' he said. Earlier, Bernama reported that the MACC had launched a major crackdown on scrap metal smuggling syndicates operating across five states, believed to have bribed enforcement officers to evade taxes, resulting in over RM950 million in revenue losses for the government. — Bernama
