KUALA LUMPUR - The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Customs Department seized 9,286 electrical appliances worth an estimated RM1.336 million, including duties and taxes, during a raid on a private warehouse in Bukit Belimbing, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, on Oct 13.
Its director, Wan Norizan Wan Daud, said the appliances were found to lack the required Certificates of Approval (CoA) from the Energy Commission and SIRIM Berhad.
"No valid approval documents for the items could be produced during the raid. A man in his 60s, believed to be the warehouse manager, was detained to assist in the investigation,” she said in a statement today.
Wan Norizan said the seized goods were valued at RM1.012 million, while the import duties and taxes amounted to approximately RM323,904.
She said the modus operandi was believed to involve the smuggling of imported electrical appliances without the necessary approvals, which were then sold to local electrical goods distributors using invoices indicating local purchases to evade detection by the authorities.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which covers the possession or storage of uncustomed goods or prohibited imports.
Wan Norizan advised the public to assist the authorities by providing information on smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office. - BERNAMA