Johor customs foils attempt to smuggle 67,500kg of rice

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) foiled an attempt to smuggle in 2,700 sacks of rice weighing 67,500kg on Monday, through the Pasir Gudang Port.
The consignments containing "Ponni Steamed Rice" worth around RM405,688, including unpaid taxes, were seized in an operation comprising nine personnel from the Pasir Gudang enforcement station at 7pm.
"Following intelligence work and further inspection of three containers at the port, it was found that they did not contain 'Putty Powder' as declared, but 'basmathi' rice priced at RM38 per 5kg that were believed to have been smuggled from India and Pakistan," Johor Customs director, Mohammad Hamiddan Maryani told reporters at the Johor Customs Tower here yesterday.
Investigation to identify those involved in the rice-smuggling syndicate was underway.
Meanwhile, in PADANG TERAP, the Malaysian Border Security Agency (AKSEM) detained three men for attempting to smuggle 500kg of ketum leaves worth around RM20,000 to a neighbouring country at Batu Pengasah, Durian Burung Tuesday evening.
Padang Terap police chief DSP Noh Idris said the suspects, comprising locals, aged between 26 and 52, who had previous criminal records were detained at 7pm by a team of 10 Kuala Kedah ASKEM personnel on patrol and brought to the Padang Terap Police Headquarters for further action. — Bernama