(Kuala Lumpur, 26th) The Customs Department announced that in the past two months, it has dismantled cannabis flower and illegal cigarette smuggling activities worth RM6.75 million; whereby drug traffickers used our country as a “transit point” to transport these cannabis flowers abroad for profit.
According to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Customs Director Zulkifli, during April and May, officials found a total of 19 parcels containing a total of 56.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis flowers at several cargo terminals in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Free Trade Zone.
He said in a statement on Thursday that the authorities found that this batch of drugs, with a total market value of RM5,566,974.28, was sealed in vacuum plastic bags and then hidden in cardboard boxes.
He pointed out that the criminals attempted to use air courier services to smuggle the contraband into the country, and even transship it to other countries.
Currently, the authorities are investigating under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If convicted, the accused could face the mandatory death penalty, or life imprisonment with no less than 12 strokes of the cane.
On a separate note, Zulkifli stated that on the 9th of last month, acting on intelligence, the authorities inspected two suspicious lorries in the Klang area and seized 1.54 million sticks of smuggled white cigarettes.
He pointed out that these tax-evading white cigarettes of various brands have a market value of RM154,000, with tax duties amounting to RM1.03 million.
He added that the suspects used “bonded” lorries (Lori Bonded) at night to transport the smuggled cigarettes, in order to avoid detection by enforcement officers.
The authorities are investigating the case under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. Upon conviction, the accused can be fined not less than 10 times and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or imprisoned for not less than 6 months and not more than 5 years, or both.
The public is urged to assist the authorities in combating smuggling activities involving drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, etc., and not to be involved in such illegal activities.
The public may provide information and tip-offs via the Customs Department’s toll-free hotline (1800888855) or at the nearest Customs office. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential.
According to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Customs Director Zulkifli, during April and May, officials found a total of 19 parcels containing a total of 56.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis flowers at several cargo terminals in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Free Trade Zone.
He said in a statement on Thursday that the authorities found that this batch of drugs, with a total market value of RM5,566,974.28, was sealed in vacuum plastic bags and then hidden in cardboard boxes.
He pointed out that the criminals attempted to use air courier services to smuggle the contraband into the country, and even transship it to other countries.
Currently, the authorities are investigating under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If convicted, the accused could face the mandatory death penalty, or life imprisonment with no less than 12 strokes of the cane.
On a separate note, Zulkifli stated that on the 9th of last month, acting on intelligence, the authorities inspected two suspicious lorries in the Klang area and seized 1.54 million sticks of smuggled white cigarettes.
He pointed out that these tax-evading white cigarettes of various brands have a market value of RM154,000, with tax duties amounting to RM1.03 million.
He added that the suspects used “bonded” lorries (Lori Bonded) at night to transport the smuggled cigarettes, in order to avoid detection by enforcement officers.
The authorities are investigating the case under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. Upon conviction, the accused can be fined not less than 10 times and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or imprisoned for not less than 6 months and not more than 5 years, or both.
The public is urged to assist the authorities in combating smuggling activities involving drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, etc., and not to be involved in such illegal activities.
The public may provide information and tip-offs via the Customs Department’s toll-free hotline (1800888855) or at the nearest Customs office. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential.