Op Sikaro: Smuggling Activities Maybe Orchestrated By Enforcement Personnel - MACC

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded statements from 10 individuals and 14 companies believed to be linked to a syndicate involved in the smuggling of tobacco, cigarettes and cigars.

The activities of the syndicate concerned are estimated to have caused losses of more than RM250 million in national revenue between 2020 to 2024.

According to a MACC source, the syndicate is believed to have used false declaration tactics during the import process by changing customs codes or item descriptions, with the smuggled cigarettes and cigars then stored in private warehouses before being distributed to the market.

"Based on initial investigations, this smuggling activity is likely to have been orchestrated by a handful of enforcement officers who provided easy access to smuggle the goods at the country's entry points in addition to protecting the warehouse operations and not taking enforcement action," said the source

The source said payments to the involved enforcement personnel are believed to be made via cash or through middlemen to obscure the financial trail.

"What is worrying is that this syndicate is also believed to have direct link to a group of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) officers who were arrested in Op Sohor last Aug 14, indicating the existence of a wider protection network," he said.

Last Tuesday, the MACC Special Operations Division, with strategic cooperation involving the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), raided several premises in the Klang Valley and Johor under Op Sikaro to combat tobacco, cigarette and cigar smuggling activities.

The investigation is now focused on offences under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the  Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Following the operation, MACC has frozen several private bank accounts and company accounts involving approximately RM218 million and is investigating to trace other assets obtained through money laundering activities by those involved.

Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, stated MACC's commitment to continue the investigation thoroughly.

  "MACC will not compromise and will take strict action against any party involved in activities that undermine the integrity of the country's control system and cause leakage of national revenue," he said.

-- BERNAMA