Johor Customs Seizes Contraband Cigarettes Worth RM13.46 Million

JOHOR BAHRU, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Johor seized 12 million sticks of white cigarettes worth RM13.46 million at a warehouse in the free zone area of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Gelang Patah near Iskandar Puteri on June 8.

Its director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said all the cigarettes were discovered in a container following an inspection by officers from the Container Control Unit (CCU), Gelang Patah Enforcement Branch at about 2.30 pm.

He said initial investigations found that the container, which originated from China, was in transit at PTP en route to its final destination in Lisbon, Portugal.

He added that checks showed the container had been declared in the transhipment manifest as carrying photovoltaic system components, or solar panel components.

"However, the syndicate is believed to have used false declarations in an attempt to smuggle non-duty-paid cigarettes," he told a press conference here today.

He said the cigarettes were estimated to be worth RM4.8 million, with duties and taxes amounting to RM8.66 million, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM13.46 million.

Aminul Izmeer said the case was being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.

-- BERNAMA