The Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 20.6 tonnes of white rice at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex yesterday.
The rice was cleverly concealed beneath a load of rice husks in a trailer and was not declared in official documents.
Authorities said the operation began after Ministry of Health officers stationed at AKPS Bukit Kayu Hitam received paperwork stating that the consignment contained only rice husks.
However, further inspection revealed discrepancies in the shipment, prompting a full check of the trailer.
Out of 32 jumbo bags declared as carrying 33,040 kilograms of rice husks, only 12 bags contained the declared material, while the remaining 20 bags were found to contain undeclared white rice.
AKPS Bukit Kayu Hitam Commander SAC Fauzi Mohd Yusof said each of the 20 hidden jumbo bags contained about 1,030 kilograms of white rice, bringing the total seizure to approximately 20,600 kilograms, valued at around RM64,000.
A local male lorry driver in his 20s was detained to assist investigations, while the trailer and its cargo were seized for further action.
The case has been handed over to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) for investigation under the relevant laws.
