The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has thwarted several smuggling attempts involving firecrackers, shisha flavouring and chewing tobacco, with the total value including duties and taxes estimated at RM1.54 million.
Selangor Customs director Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi said authorities inspected a container discovered at a warehouse in Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia on January 12 during Op Petasan.
“Following the inspection, JKDM officers found 21.9 tonnes of firecrackers valued at RM266,319, including duties and taxes, believed to have been imported without a valid permit,” he said at a press conference today.
The shipment had been declared as ‘Firework (DG Class 1.4G)’, but the import permit had already expired.
In a separate operation on January 26, another export container was intercepted at the Westports Free Zone containing 13.2 tonnes of firecrackers and tissue products, estimated to be worth RM279,588.
“The items were falsely declared as party decorations and were believed to be destined for a country in Asia,” he added.
Mohamad Azhar said JKDM also seized a container carrying 2.8 tonnes of shisha flavouring, valued at RM434,016, at the same location on January 13. The consignment had been falsely declared as energy drinks in an attempt to avoid detection.
On the same day, authorities intercepted another container carrying 3.9 tonnes of chewing tobacco, estimated to be worth RM566,816, which was declared as ‘Sagar Shakti’ in the manifest but had no valid import permit.
He said the cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing prohibited goods without a permit, which carries penalties of up to 20 times the value of the goods, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the case involving the container intercepted at the Westports Free Zone is also being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the same Act for making false declarations to customs authorities.
