KUALA LUMPUR: Eleven customs officers were among 17 people arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to facilitate its investigation into the "flying container" case, which resulted in RM3.5 billion in tax leakages.
Apart from the customs officers, others nabbed by the anti-graft agency in its probe included six directors and staff members of a company, as well as a runner and his lover.
Sources said the MACC has, to date, seized RM4.4 million in cash, believed to be obtained from the proceeds of corruption by the customs officers suspected to be involved in the case.
This, the sources said, did not include four Yamaha XMAX motorcycles worth RM28,000 each, a luxury multipurpose vehicle worth more than RM200,000, a used BMW car, jewelry, luxury watches, as well as a plot of land, all of which were purchased with cash.
MACC has also frozen 12 bank accounts holding RM2 million belonging to company and individuals arrested by the commission in its investigation into the case.
"All these seizures (cash and assets confiscated) are part of the proceeds of corruption that the MACC has detected so far.
"The MACC is also in the process of tracing other bank accounts believed to be used by suspects in this syndicate," the sources said.
MACC together with the Customs Department have examined all 19 containers seized by the commission in the case.
"Checks showed that the syndicate made false declarations by declaring that the containers contained duty-free items such as wheelchairs, toilet seats, textiles, and health equipment.
"In reality, the containers actually held items such as LED lights, solar lights and panels, motorcycle accessories, sport rims, vehicles, vehicle parts, textiles, and clothing, among others."
MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(b) and Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009 as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
"We are now in the process of tracking down the mastermind of the syndicate through various collaborations with international agencies," he said.
Earlier today in Putrajaya, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki did not rule out that the commission will arrest more customs officers in its probe into the case.
MACC, said Azam, had also reached out to Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) through the Attorney-General Chambers.
"We have also initiated an intelligence network with Singapore to track down those who are involved in the syndicate," he said.
The 'flying container' case came to light following the arrest of seven individuals, including customs personnel last week for suspected collusion with a smuggling syndicate in Port Klang that resulted in tax leakages valued at around RM3.5 billion.
A total of 19 containers with various imported products were seized during the operation conducted by the MACC and the Customs Department yesterday (June 12).