A warehouse believed to have been operating as a storage and distribution centre for contraband goods for about 14 years has been uncovered in an integrated enforcement operation in Kampung Sungai Serdang, Kapar, Selangor.
The premises were raided at about 12.10pm yesterday during Op Taring Alpha, conducted by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Klang Utara District Police Headquarters.
WCB/PSK commander of the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department, Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar, said three people were detained during the operation. They comprised two Bangladeshi nationals working as warehouse employees and a local man believed to be the company director.
Initial investigations found that the premises were allegedly being used as a temporary storage facility and collection hub for products brought in from China before being distributed to various locations nationwide.
Mohd Zaki said the warehouse was believed to have been operating for approximately 14 years, with authorities uncovering a large quantity of goods during the raid.
Among the items seized were 32,200 cigarettes of various brands that had not been subjected to customs duty, with an estimated value of RM304,612.
Authorities also seized 149 boxes of alcoholic beverages worth about RM129,914, as well as 167,526 boxes of Chinese food products estimated at RM3.9 million.
Various Chinese cosmetic and healthcare products were also confiscated, with an estimated value of RM1.547 million. The total value of goods seized in the operation was estimated at RM5,901,526.
Mohd Zaki said the case was being investigated under several laws, including Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that had not been subjected to customs duty.
The two Bangladeshi nationals were also investigated under Section 6(1)(c)/55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Investigations were also being conducted under the Food Act 1985 and Food Regulations 2009, as well as the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 and Poisons Act 1952.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zaki said WCB/PSK had conducted 234 raids nationwide from Jan 1 to Aug 14, resulting in the arrest of 409 individuals for various offences involving smuggling, leakages of controlled and subsidised goods, wildlife crimes and e-waste-related activities.
The total value of seizures from those operations was estimated at RM311.03 million.
He said the Royal Malaysia Police would continue intensifying joint enforcement operations, strengthening cooperation between agencies and expanding intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks and bring those responsible to justice.
Mohd Zaki stressed that there would be no compromise against parties involved in smuggling, illegal wildlife trade or cross-border crime as enforcement agencies continue efforts to curb such activities.
