JOHOR BARU: Cigarette smugglers' attempt to conceal the contraband in toy boxes in two shipping containers in Tanjung Pelepas Port, Gelang Patah, were foiled recently.
Customs Department deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Datuk Sazali Mohamad today said RM18.5 million worth of cigarettes with tax and duties were seized.
The cigarette packs were put in the same packaging boxes as the toys. The toys were placed in front in the container, while the cigarettes in the toy boxes were hidden at the back.
"The first container, which arrived at the port on March 26, had 924 cigarette packs and 36 boxes of toys.
"The second container, which arrived on April 4, had 915 cigarette packs and 33 toy boxes," he said at Menara Kastam here.
Sazali said 22.068 million cigarettes sticks and toy boxes were seized.
"Based on the modus operandi, we believe both shipments from Cambodia were meant for delivery to Mexico and involved the same smugglers.
"Their manifest stated that the containers had boxes of plastic toys, but our inspections revealed otherwise."
The seized cigarettes were valued at RM3.6 million, with estimated tax amounting to RM14.9 million.