Johor Customs Foils Bid to Smuggle Zamzam Water Worth RM2.58 Mln

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The Royal Customs Department of Malaysia (JKDM) Johor branch foiled an attempt to smuggle Zamzam water into the country after seizing 107,910 litres of the liquid worth RM2.58 million at the container inspection bay of the Johor Free Port Zone here between Aug 5 and 14.

Its director, Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said all 21,582 water bottles were found in four 40-foot containers, with duties amounting to RM647,460.

"Zamzam water is a banned substance where its import is permitted on condition of having an import licence as per Item 35, Part I, Third Schedule, Customs Order (Prohibition on Imports) 2023. However, no such import permit was presented,” he said in a statement.

He added that the case is being investigated under Regulation 30(1) of the Free Zones Regulations 1991.

Meanwhile, in another case, Aminul Izmeer said 256 boxes containing electronic cigarette refill liquid valued at RM46,080 were seized during an inspection of a lorry at the export inspection bay of the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, near Iskandar Puteri, on Aug 6.

He added that the inspection was carried out after the scanner detected images that looked suspicious.

"Upon inspection, we found 84 units of Bobbins Automotive Wire in the lorry (as declared), as well as 256 boxes of E-liquid pods hidden in the back of the driver's seat that were undeclared and meant for export,” he said.

He said the duties for all 7,680 units of the E-liquid pods in the boxes were estimated at RM9,676, with the case being investigated under Section 133 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967.

-- BERNAMA