Royal Malaysian Customs in Perlis foils two smuggling attempts, seizing 20kg of cannabis and 9,400 vape devices with a total value of RM611,340.
KANGAR: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Perlis has foiled two separate smuggling attempts involving cannabis and vape devices.
The seizures, made on February 6 and 10, have a combined estimated value of RM611,340, inclusive of unpaid taxes.
State Customs director Ismail Hashim said the first bust netted 9,400 vape devices of various flavours. The vapes, valued at RM454,000 with taxes of RM95,340, were seized from a motorised fibreglass boat.
Acting on intelligence, the Kuala Perlis Enforcement team pursued the suspicious boat in Kurung Tengar waters at 1.30am on February 6. “Three individuals are believed to have fled to shore, abandoning the boat,” Ismail said at a press conference today.
He added that the vape devices were believed to be destined for smuggling into a neighbouring country. The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967.
The second seizure occurred on February 10 at the riverbank of Kampung Bukit Tok Po in Kuala Perlis. Customs officers found two suspicious white sacks containing 20kg of cannabis, valued at RM62,000.
“The cannabis is believed to have been smuggled from Thailand for distribution in northern states and the Klang Valley,” Ismail stated. He noted that the seized drugs could supply up to 30,400 users.
This case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
