SEMENYIH – The General Operations Force (GOF) yesterday seized more than RM23 million worth of contraband cigarettes and liquor.
Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Zainal Abidin Kasim said the seizures were carried out under Op Kontraban, which also saw three local men aged between 29 and 35 arrested in Shah Alam and Klang Utara.
“At the first location, police found a total of 87,150 cartons of cigarettes hidden in two container trucks in Jalan Tamborin, Section 33, Shah Alam,” he told a press conference today.
The cigarettes are worth RM7,784,900, with customs tax estimated at RM12,282,290.
Two cars and two mobile phones were also confiscated, said Zainal Abidin.
Investigations led the authorities to premises in Kapar, Klang Utara, where police seized 1,295 boxes of contraband liquor worth RM1,480,277, with an estimated customs tax of RM1,971,855.97, hidden in a container truck.
The truck and a mobile phone were seized as well.
All the confiscated items will be brought to the Shah Alam and Klang Utara district police headquarters.
The probe is being conducted under Section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967.
Offenders face a fine of 10 times the value of the goods seized or RM100,000, whichever is higher, or a jail term of not less than six months and not more than five years, or both, upon conviction.
“This is the biggest seizure recorded by GOF, where the goods are valued at RM23,772,022.97, since the operation began,” said Zainal Abidin.
“I sincerely hope members of the public will come forward and cooperate with us by providing information on smuggling activities, so as to safeguard the country.” – The Vibes, August 25, 2021
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