Kedah Customs seizes RM1.85 million worth of contraband in Ops Gempur

ALOR SETAR - The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized contraband and vehicles with a total value, including duties and taxes, of nearly RM1.85 million during "Ops Gempur" from Aug 2 to 15.

Kedah Customs director Wan Marini Wan Hamzah said the operation targeted the smuggling of cigarettes, liquor and prohibited items, as well as the misuse of facilities involving vehicles registered on duty-free islands and in Thailand.

"During the operation, 158,180 cigarettes, six vehicles, 75.60 litres of liquor, and 0.86 kilogrammes of drugs were seized, with a total value, including taxes, amounting to nearly RM1.85 million," she said in a statement today.

She said one of the major cases involved the seizure of 139,920 cigarettes and 75.60 litres of liquor worth RM199,089, following a raid on a house in Taman Muda, Kuala Lumpur, on Aug 4.

Officers also seized suspected counterfeit tax stamps and equipment used to repackage cigarettes.

"The modus operandi involved using the residential premises as a storage site and a hub for processing counterfeit tax stamps.

"The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967," she said.

Wan Marini said the second case involved six vehicles with an estimated total value of RM1.63 million.

"Four vehicles registered on a duty-free island had remained in the Principal Customs Area beyond the permitted 90-day period, while two vehicles registered in Thailand were seized for lacking valid International Circulation Permits (ICP).

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the same Act," she said.

She urged the public to assist in combating smuggling activities, particularly involving cigarettes, liquor and firecrackers, which could cause financial losses and threaten national security.

The public can channel information on smuggling activities to the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office. - BERNAMA