CUSTOMS SEIZE SEX TOYS WORTH RM2.04 MILLION

PETALING JAYA, 5 Jun (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized 11,220  sex toys valued at RM2.04 million in a raid on a logistics warehouse in Shah Alam on May 20.

Customs Central Zone assistant director-general, Norlela Ismail said that the raid, codenamed Ops Publika, was conducted at 1 pm at the warehouse, which is believed to have been operating for three years.

The operation was based on intelligence and public complaints.

"The primary modus operandi involved falsely declaring the items as children's toys on Customs Form 1. These goods were then brought to the logistics warehouse for storage before being sold in bulk to local wholesalers," she told a press conference today.

She added that a 60-year-old local man, who worked as the warehouse supervisor, was also detained but released on bail.

"This case is still under investigation to trace the company or import agents involved for further action," she said.

Norlela added that during the same operation, her team conducted 40 raids involving various undeclared goods such as white cigarettes, kretek cigarettes and alcoholic beverages at several premises around the Klang Valley from May 13 to 24.

She said that a total of 3,506 litres of alcoholic beverages and 355,100 cigarettes were seized, with an estimated value and unpaid duties amounting to RM475,267.

"Sixteen individuals were detained to assist with investigations, and the cases are still under investigation to ascertain the smuggling modus operandi for further action.

"Twenty-six investigation papers have been opened for offences under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967," she said.

Norlela added that the overall estimate for seizures under Ops Publika is RM5.3 million, comprising RM3.5 million worth of seized goods and RM1.8 million in unpaid taxes.

-- BERNAMA