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JOHOR BARU – The Johor Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle in cigarettes worth RM8.71 million including taxes after inspecting a container lorry here on December 28.
Its director Sazali Mohamad said the seizure at the Pasir Gudang port at 11.45am was the result of information received and intelligence work by the Johor Customs Department Pasir Gudang enforcement division.
He said an inspection of a lorry found over seven million sticks of cigarettes, suspected to be imported from China.
“The smugglers’ modus operandi was to make a false and deceptive declaration that the items (in the container) were cabinets and related accessories to avoid high taxes and import permits,” he told a news conference here today.
He said a 43-year-old local man working with a shipping company was also detained to assist in the investigation.
Sazali said the Johor Customs Department also seized 600 bottles of zam-zam mineral water to be smuggled out when inspecting a lorry at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, Gelang Patah, on December 30.
He said the lorry, driven by a 30-year-old local man with a 21-year-old attendant on board, was believed to be on its way to Singapore with 3,000 litres of the water worth RM66,000 at 3.45pm. – Bernama, January 9, 2022