TERENGGANU RMCD FOIL ATTEMPT TO DISTRIBUTE SMUGGLED CIGARETTES

CHUKAI, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) of Terengganu successfully foiled an attempt to distribute smuggled cigarettes, with the value of the seizure, including duty and tax, estimated at RM319,228.80.

Terengganu RMCD Director, Hasbollah Din, said the seizure, carried out through Ops Macan Legit 2, was the result of a raid on a Toyota Vellfire multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was abandoned by the roadside in Nyior Mawar, in Kampung Dusun Nyior near here, on August 6.

"Based on information received through Ops Macan Legit 2, a team from the Marine Unit, Enforcement Branch of Kemaman, Terengganu RMCD, conducted a 40-minute surveillance of the abandoned vehicle.

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"The surveillance found no movement detected. Our team then raided the MPV and discovered 352,800 sticks of white (smuggled) cigarettes of various brands stored in the MPV, with an estimated value of RM78,528 and a total duty and tax of RM240,700.80," he said at a press conference here today.

He added that the MPV and its contents were seized to assist investigations under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

Hasbollah further added that they believe the seized white cigarettes were brought in from outside Terengganu for distribution in the local market.

However, he said they are still in the process of identifying the owner of the MPV, which is believed to have used a fake registration number.

"The modus operandi carried out was to store non-Customs approved cigarettes in a luxury vehicle before distributing them to blind the eyes of the authorities.

"In this regard, the public is urged to assist RMCD in fighting smuggling crimes, especially involving drugs, cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, vehicles, and others, and are advised not to involve themselves in such activities," he said.

-- BERNAMA