IPOH: The Perak Customs Department seized cigarettes, liquor, drugs, subsidised petrol and other contraband items worth RM639,579 in several operations conducted between August and September this year.
Its director Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mohamad said the largest seizure involved 387,788 packs of cigarettes and 2,273 litres of liquor, with an estimated total value of RM410,008.
He said that the seizure of cigarettes and liquor was a result of operations during this period around Perak.
"Cigarettes and liquor are prohibited items, and their importation is allowed with conditions as outlined in Item 1 and Item 3, Part 2, Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023.
"The case is still under investigation. A total of 13 men and a woman have been detained for investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967," he said in a statement today (Sept 30).
Meanwhile, Ghafar said during the same period, the department also seized 3.3 kilograms of drugs estimated to be worth RM13,331.
He said that the drug packages were seized from two post offices here, suspected to be intended for distribution to customers using postal services.
"Following the seizure, two men were arrested to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, while the seized drugs were sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis," he said.
He added that the department successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle subsidised petrol worth RM210 using a modified vehicle to a neighbouring country.
"The case was detected at the Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex in Bukit Berapit, Pengkalan Hulu.
"As a result, the subsidised petrol was seized along with the vehicle used. A woman was also detained to assist in the investigation," he said.
He said the public is urged to assist the department in combating smuggling activities, especially involving cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, vehicles and other items. He also advised them not to engage in such activities.
"Smuggling not only causes the country to lose revenue but also poses a threat to national security," he said.
He said the public could provide information related to any smuggling activities by contacting the Customs toll-free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or by visiting the nearest Customs office.