Royal Malaysian Customs at KLIA foils three major smuggling attempts involving drugs, iron rods, and electric vehicles, with total seizures valued at RM2.5 million.

SEPANG: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport branch has foiled three major smuggling operations. The total value of the seized goods and evaded duties is estimated at RM2.5 million.

Director Zulkifli Muhammad detailed the cases, which involved drugs, iron rods, and electric vehicles. The seizures included 16.057 kilogrammes of cannabis and cocaine, 145,281 kilogrammes of iron, and 21 units of three-wheeled EVs and e-bikes.

In the first case, the enforcement team intercepted packages being exported to Europe. Two packages containing 16 kg of cannabis buds, valued at RM1.4 million, were seized on Jan 5.

A third package containing 57 grammes of cocaine, worth RM11,400, was confiscated on Jan 28. Zulkifli said the syndicate used mail services and declared the items as gifts to avoid detection.

For the second case, six containers of iron rods were detained at Port Klang on Jan 19. The operation was conducted with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Customs COBRA team.

The iron rods, weighing 145,281 kg, are valued at RM683,164. The total evaded duties and taxes amount to RM200,136.

“All the iron rods are believed to have been imported without a valid permit from the Construction Industry Development Board,” Zulkifli said.

Regarding the third case, raids on three premises in Sentul and Petaling Jaya on Jan 28 led to the seizure of 21 EVs. The vehicles have an estimated value of RM122,101, with duties and taxes of RM83,028.

Zulkifli stated the sales were conducted online with direct delivery to buyers. This method was used to avoid detection by the authorities.

Customs urged the public to help combat smuggling activities. Information can be channelled through its toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or at any nearby customs office.

 The Sun Malaysia