BUTTERWORTH, Nov 3 — The Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized 5.8 million sticks of white cigarettes worth over RM400,000 with a RM3.7 million excise duty, smuggled in boxes of instant noodles last Thursday (October 26).
Penang Customs director Hamisan Kalip said the seizure was made after a container was detained at 3:15pm that day during an inspection at Westport in Port Klang, Selangor.
The container was subsequently brought to the Penang Customs’ Prevention Complex Enforcement Division for further examination.
“When inspecting the container, we found 1,832 boxes marked “instant noodles”, containing white bread and instant noodles. A closer look revealed 5.8 million sticks of white cigarettes hidden in the instant noodles boxes.
“The cigarettes’ estimated value is RM461,721.60 with a RM3.7 million excise tax, altogether worth RM4.2 million,” he said during a press conference today.
The 47-year-old director of a shipping and logistics company, with an office in Port Klang, was detained and released on bail after his statement was recorded.
Based on the documents obtained, the shipment is suspected to be from a West Asian country, meant for the local market, he said, adding the syndicate declared the goods as “instant noodles” in the bill of lading as their modus operandi.
Investigations are underway to identify the network of syndicates believed to be the mastermind behind the smuggling.
The case is classified under Sections 135(1)(e) and 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967, and Section 74(1) (e) of the Excise Act 1976.
— Bernama
