Customs foil two attempts to smuggle about RM260,000 in fireworks

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Kedah Royal Customs Department has foiled two attempts to smuggle and distribute fireworks worth RM255,195 at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) in Bukit Kayu Hitam here on Jan 5 and in Changlun on Jan 3.
State Customs Director Johari Alifiah said in a raid conducted at about 12.30am at the ICQS, the department seized 1,900 kilogrammes of fireworks of various types estimated to cost RM30,500 with a tax value of RM17,995.
"Checks were conducted on three Proton Alza and a Proton Waja which were all parked along the North-South Expressway near the border entry points.
"A two-hour surveillance found that the owner of one of the vehicles was a Thai national while the other three belonged to locals," he said in a media conference held at the department's Enforcement Office here.
Johari also said that on Jan 3, the department seized 270 boxes of fireworks worth RM130,000 and a tax value of about RM76,700.
Johari said the items were confiscated from a white Hicom lorry at 7.55pm in Kampung Darat, Changlun heading towards Bukit Wang.
"Checks found that the lorry driver, a local 35-year-old man, failed to produce any document to prove that the fireworks had been approved by Customs," he said.
He added that both cases were being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967 for transporting prohibited items without Customs approval while all the suspects were released on bond. — Bernama