PETALING JAYA: The Customs Department seized 16 undeclared vehicles estimated to be worth RM1,244,205, involving import taxes and duties estimated at RM2,350,000 during a raid on Wednesday.
Its central zone deputy director Norlela Ismail said the raid took place at a licensed warehouse in Seksyen 85A, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur.
"During the raid, 16 imported vehicles suspected of not being declared to customs were found stored beyond the allowed period.
"The seized vehicles violated Sections 65(2) and 65(5) of the Customs Act 1967, which stipulates a maximum storage period of 48 months in licensed warehouses.
"The modus operandi involved failing to declare the vehicles to Customs, concealing the unpaid taxes, and misusing expired import licenses," she said in a press conference here, today.
She said the company involved also failed to settle outstanding import duties and had misused the tax exemption facilities provided.
Norlela added that the investigation of the case was ongoing.
"The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which covers the storage or possession of undeclared or prohibited import goods.
"If found guilty, the court may impose a fine of no less than 10 times the customs duty amount or RM100,000.00, whichever is higher, and no more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000.00, whichever is higher; or imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than five years, or both."