Terengganu customs foil cigarette smuggling attempt using luxury MPV, seizing 352,800 sticks worth over RM319,000 in total value.
KEMAMAN: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Terengganu has foiled a smuggling attempt involving cigarettes worth RM319,228.80 including duty and tax.
Director Hasbollah Din said the seizure resulted from Ops Macan Legit 2, which targeted an abandoned Toyota Vellfire in Kampung Dusun Nyior on August 6.
“Based on information received through Ops Macan Legit 2, a team from the Marine Unit conducted a 40-minute surveillance of the abandoned vehicle,” he told a press conference.
“The surveillance found no movement detected, leading to a raid that uncovered 352,800 sticks of smuggled cigarettes of various brands.”
He said the cigarettes had an estimated market value of RM78,528 with unpaid duty and tax amounting to RM240,700.80.
The MPV and its contents were seized under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Hasbollah believes the cigarettes were brought from outside Terengganu for local distribution.
Authorities are still working to identify the MPV owner, suspecting the vehicle used a fake registration number.
“The modus operandi involved storing non-Customs approved cigarettes in a luxury vehicle to avoid detection by authorities,” he explained.
He urged public cooperation in fighting smuggling activities involving drugs, cigarettes, liquor, fireworks and vehicles.
The public was advised against involvement in such illegal activities. – Bernama
