Customs Officers Find Smuggled Sports Car Worth RM531,960 In Shopping Mall Parking Lot
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department believes the car was smuggled in from Singapore.
By May Vin Ang — 19 Sep 2024, 12:51 PM
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has successfully thwarted smuggling activities involving tin ore powder, luxury vehicles, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages valued at RM1.2 million since July
According to Malaysia Gazette, JKDM Melaka director Nadzri Che Ani said the department also dismantled smuggling operations involving a Lotus luxury car valued at RM531,960 on 17 July.
China Press reported that the management of a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor notified JKDM after noticing the white luxury sports car parked in their lot for three months.
Nadzri said they believe the car was smuggled in from Singapore and hidden there to evade tax and detection by authorities while waiting for a buyer.
JKDM Melaka director Nadzri Che Ani showing the smuggled luxury sports car in July.
Image via Malaysia GazetteNadzri also said JKDM seized five tonnes of tin powder, believed to be smuggled from Indonesia and estimated to be worth RM450,000 including tax, intended for use in the local industrial sector
He stated that during the seizure at 9am on 17 August, the metal was found in a lorry near a beach in Mersing, Johor, along with a driver and an assistant in their 30s and 40s.
"During the raid, they failed to produce any documents proving that the tin had been declared to JKDM before both were detained for further investigation.
"The modus operandi involved smuggling the items during the early morning through the waters of Mersing, Johor," said Nadzri at a press conference on Tuesday, 17 September.
Nadzri (centre) displaying the 5,000kg of tin ore powder believed to have been smuggled from Indonesia last month.
Image via Malaysia GazetteIn another operation, JKDM successfully seized over four tonnes of tobacco powder valued at RM77,088 during an inspection of a container at Northport, Port Klang in Selangor
The tobacco was found stored in 803 large boxes and hidden behind other items in the container. The shipping agent, who had declared the items as food products, was arrested.
Nadzri said all these cases are currently being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
The offence carries a fine of up to 20 times the value of the seized item or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or a maximum of three years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
