Latest news with #Quarantineand
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Frozen chickens: RM880,000 tax fraud attempt stopped at Padang Besar checkpoint
KANGAR: The Customs Department foiled a tax and halal certificate fraud attempt involving 55,572kg of frozen chicken worth more than RM880,000 after intercepting two lorries that had attempted to re-enter Malaysia late last month. The incident occurred around 3.20pm on July 26 when officers stopped the lorries at the Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQs) Complex as they tried to re-enter the country, despite being declared as outbound to Thailand. Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim said the scam was detected when officers inspected the Customs declaration forms submitted by the lorry drivers. "In this case, the parties involved misused Customs Form K1, which is meant for imported goods, by declaring the frozen chicken as imports from Thailand. "However, earlier observations revealed that they had actually used Form K8, which is for goods in transit. The goods came from Penang and were supposedly en route to Thailand," he told reporters at the Perlis Customs office today. He said the drivers were caught turning back into Malaysia while presenting Form K1 at the checkpoint, falsely declaring that the chicken was imported from the neighbouring country. Ismail said the false declaration was made to obtain a 20 per cent import tax exemption typically granted to goods originating from Southeast Asian countries. "The goods were turned around directly at the checkpoint and re-entered Malaysia. This clearly shows an attempt to evade import duties by manipulating the declaration process," he said. Investigations also found that the origin of the frozen chicken was not Thailand, as claimed, but another Asian nation not eligible for the Asean import tax exemption. Ismail said five individuals, including the lorry drivers, agents and the importer, have been detained to assist investigations. "They are being probed for offences including falsifying the country of origin, attempting to evade import duties, and failing to produce valid halal certification. "If the goods were truly from Thailand, they would be accompanied by halal certification and veterinary documents, as required by regulations," he said. Frozen chicken imports are subject to a permit under Item 1, Part I, Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. The seized goods, weighing a total of 55,572kg, are valued at RM883,580, with estimated unpaid taxes amounting to RM166,716. Authorities also confiscated the two lorries involved, valued at about RM240,000. The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a penalty of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both upon conviction.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
Kedah police seize over RM1.6mil in cannabis, two arrested
ALOR SETAR: Police have seized 45.5kg of cannabis worth over RM1.6mil and arrested two men suspected of smuggling them into the country at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex on Wednesday (May 14). Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects, a 29-year-old local man and a Thai national in his 50s, were arrested at 5pm, before police discovered 80 compressed packets believed to contain cannabis in a pickup truck bearing Thai licence plates that the suspects were travelling in. "Further checks uncovered two suitcases placed in the cargo area, each containing 40 transparent compressed plastic packets filled with dried leaves suspected to be cannabis buds. "The total seizure is estimated to be worth RM1.6mil on the black market. In Thailand, the price is around 100,000 Baht per kg, while in Malaysia it is valued at RM36,000 per kg. 'We believe their modus operandi involves the use of luggage bags. If we hadn't inspected the bags, they could have passed through as they used a legitimate entry route," he said in a press conference here on Thursday. He added that this is the first cannabis seizure in Kedah this year, and investigations show that the drugs were likely intended for distribution in the Klang Valley and Johor. Investigations also revealed that the local suspect acted as a drug transporter and admitted to smuggling drugs from Thailand into Malaysia multiple times via the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sungai Golok, Kelantan borders, for payments ranging from RM1,000 to RM2,000 per trip. "The suspect also has three prior drug-related offences, and a urine test confirmed he was positive for methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the Thai man, who works as a taxi driver in Danok, Thailand, tested negative and has no criminal record," he said. Fisol said both suspects are currently remanded for seven days until May 21 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. He added that following the arrests, police have tracked down other individuals believed to be the masterminds of the smuggling syndicate, and the Johor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) successfully apprehended two more suspects on Thursday. He added that a man in his 30s with seven prior narcotics offences and other criminal convictions, and a 38-year-old woman with no prior record, were arrested on Thursday in Johor to be brought to Kedah for further investigation. "We are not just focusing on distribution and drug abuse, but also on the supply chain. This is a significant success for the Kedah police contingent," he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Kedah police bust drug trafficking syndicate, seize RM1.6mil in high-grade cannabis
ALOR STAR: Kedah police have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate following the arrest of four people, including its alleged mastermind in Johor. State police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the syndicate's operations were uncovered after two transporters, a Malaysian man and a Thai national, were detained at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex yesterday. "A team from the Kedah Narcotics Investigation Department stopped a Thailand-registered pick-up truck at the ICQS Complex at about 5pm. "During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered two pieces of luggage in the rear compartment. "Upon inspection, each bag was found to contain 40 packets of dried leaves believed to be cannabis flower," he said during a press conference at the state police headquarters today. In total, 80 packets were seized, weighing 45.5kg, with an estimated street value of RM1.623 million. "This is the first-ever seizure of high-grade cannabis flower by Kedah police. Compared to regular compressed cannabis, cannabis flower is significantly more expensive, valued at about RM36,000 per kg," Fisol said. He said the 29-year-old Malaysian suspect, who has a record of drug abuse and trafficking, admitted to acting as a transporter for the syndicate. "He tested positive for methamphetamine and confessed to smuggling drugs from Thailand into Malaysia via the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sungai Golok border checkpoints in Kelantan on several occasions. "He was reportedly paid between RM1,000 and RM2,000 per trip." Meanwhile, the Thai national, a taxi driver from Dannok, tested negative for drug use and has no prior criminal record. Both suspects have been remanded for seven days to assist with investigations. Fisol said the seized cannabis was intended for distribution in the Klang Valley and Johor, with the potential to supply about 30,000 drug users. Following the arrests, Kedah police alerted their counterparts in Johor, leading to the apprehension of the suspected syndicate leader. "The Johor Narcotics Investigation Department subsequently arrested a 30-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. "Background checks showed the man has seven previous narcotics-related offences and two other criminal records. "The woman has no prior record. Both will be transferred to Kedah for further investigation," he added.
