Johor customs seized 42 luxury vehicles and crippled a liquor syndicate in two operations, with total seizures and taxes exceeding RM36.9 million

JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor branch of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized 42 luxury vehicles and crippled a syndicate distributing uncustomed liquor.

The total value of the seizures, including taxes, exceeds RM36.9 million.

Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the Enforcement Division carried out 341 inspections under a special operation dubbed Ops Terma as of February 6.

He said 21 cases were opened, leading to the seizure of 42 luxury vehicles of various brands.

The estimated value of the vehicles is RM7.66 million, while the taxes involved amount to RM14.37 million.

Aminul Izmeer said the total value and taxes for these cases amount to RM22.03 million, with four arrests made involving local company owners aged between 40 and 50.

The cases are being investigated under Sections 65, 75 and 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

Ops Terma also targets vehicles, including from Singapore, brought in without valid import permits under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.

In a separate case, Johor Customs crippled a syndicate distributing non-duty-paid liquor following a raid on a warehouse in Kulai on January 20.

Inspections uncovered a large quantity of liquor suspected to be unlawful under the Customs Act 1967.

A total of 572,928 cans of alcoholic drinks, equivalent to 286,464 litres, were seized.

The estimated value is RM2.57 million, while the taxes involved amount to RM12.28 million.

An Isuzu Hino lorry and five 40-foot containers valued at RM55,000 were also seized. This brings the total value of the seizure, including taxes, in this case to RM14.9 million.

Liquor is a prohibited import item under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.

Its importation requires an import licence and tax stamps approved by the Customs director-general.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession of prohibited goods.

Efforts to track down the owner of the premises and the syndicate’s mastermind are ongoing.

Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are urged to contact the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855. The identity of informants is guaranteed confidentiality.

 The Sun Malaysia