Contraband cigarettes worth RM10 million seized at Johor port

The Johor Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized cigarettes worth RM10 million believed to have been smuggled from China at the Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP) Customs Inspection Bay, Gelang Patah, in Iskandar Puteri, on Sept 22.

JKDM director Sazali Mohamad said the container was seized by the Gelang Patah Customs Enforcement Division at 11.20am after a scan revealed a suspicious-looking image that was different from that declared in the manifest.

He said according to the manifest, the items included computer accessories, bakery equipment and electric barbecue grills.

"Our inspection, however, found 9.18 million sticks of imported cigarettes believed to be from China that were not taxed. The final destination as declared in the manifest was Kota Kinabalu Port, Sabah before transiting at PTP," he said at a press conference in Johor Bahru yesterday.

He said while the contraband was worth RM3.67 million, the total value was RM10 million inclusive of tax.

Sazali said the syndicate's modus operandi was to make false declarations in their manifestos and to use the PTP as an unloading location before the contraband was sent to another place.

The case is being investigated under Regulation 18 of the Free Zone Regulations (Amendment) 2019 and Section 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967.

Meanwhile, Sazali said the Sungai Pulai Enforcement Division had foiled an attempt to smuggle 69 tyres valued at RM41,400 following the arrest of two local men at Taman Cemerlang Lancar in Senai at 11pm on Sept 26.

He said the men, aged 36 and 41, who were in Toyota Alphard vehicles, were trailed by an enforcement team from the entry point at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, Gelang Patah.

"Upon inspection, the vehicles were found carrying 69 new tyres of various brands and sizes, believed to be imported and which had not been taxed," he said, adding that the men were detained for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967.

Sazali said they also seized various undeclared items including 2,335 pieces of laminated sheets estimated to be worth RM89,000 after confiscating an eight-tonne lorry at Austin Perdana road on Sept 12.