Kastam KLIA rampas rokok, bunga ganja lebih RM6 juta

KLIA customs officers have thwarted four smuggling operations worth over RM6.17 million last month, including 1.53 million sticks of white cigarettes and 47.8kg of cannabis resin. Aspalila Ag Tuah, the KLIA customs chief, disclosed that two of the cases were linked to cigarette smuggling at the KLIA Free Trade Zone, while the remaining two involved cannabis.

One instance saw 47.8kg of cannabis with a value of RM3.824 million hidden in two bags left at the Lost and Found department of Terminal 1's international clearing house. The bags were initially scheduled to be taken on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi on July 14 but were abandoned by passengers. Upon further investigation, hidden air-tight plastic bags were found to contain cannabis.

Additionally, 12,675kg of cannabis resin with a value of RM1.014 million was smuggled in 12 plastic boxes in a children's toy box on July 13. The cannabis was discovered in four containers at the KLIA customs group's air cargo handling facility, allegedly intended for export to a European country using cargo services. The syndicate's modus operandi involved hiding cannabis in air-tight plastic bags to avoid detection by authorities, with the cannabis reportedly destined for a European country via air freight.

While these two cases are under investigation under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Aspalila stated that KLIA customs also intercepted two attempts to smuggle 1.53 million sticks of white cigarettes on July 29 and 30, with a total value of around RM1.35 million, including duties and taxes.