PGA ARRESTS FOUR MEN, SEIZE UNTAXED FRUITS WORTH RM1.67 MLN

ALOR SETAR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Four local men were arrested for allegedly smuggling fruits from Thailand without complying with import tax requirements in an integrated operation at Durian Burung here on Wednesday.

General Operations Force (PGA) Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the suspects, aged between 36 and 47, were arrested by the 18th Battalion’s intelligence branch in collaboration with the Kedah Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) at 5.40 pm.

“Also seized were three Hino lorries and one Isuzu lorry, along with 46,620 kg of various types of fruits, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM1.675 million.

“The operation was conducted following intelligence on fruit smuggling activities from a neighbouring country into Malaysia without the payment of legitimate taxes,” he said in a statement today.

Balveer Singh said the four lorries were detained by the roadside at Jalan Durian Burung after they were suspected of transporting fruits without complying with the import tax requirements.

He said document checks found that the lorries were carrying loads exceeding the permitted limit and the cargo did not match the details declared in the customs documents.

“Preliminary investigations found that the lorries had brought in the cargo through the Kota Putra Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Durian Burung, and they were believed to be on their way to the Klang Valley to deliver the fruits to a wholesaler,” he said.

He said the case has been handed over to the Kedah JKDM for further investigation under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.

-- BERNAMA