Cigarettes hidden in coconut husks: Kelantan Customs foils RM1.37mil smuggling attempt
RANTAU PANJANG: The Kelantan Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.96 million sticks of cigarettes believed to have been brought in from China, with the total value of the seizure, including duties and taxes, estimated at RM1.37 million.
In a major smuggling bust, Kelantan Customs Department prevented an attempt to bring in 1.96 million cigarettes from China, with an estimated value of RM1.37 million. The seizure occurred on July 17 when the Rantau Panjang Enforcement Branch Operations Team detected an abandoned Hino lorry in Bachok. Inside the lorry, they found white sacks of coconut husks concealing boxes of cigarettes.
Further inspection led to the recovery of 1.7 million cigarettes of various brands, packed in 74 boxes. The estimated value of these cigarettes, including duties and taxes, was around RM1.2 million. Additionally, the team discovered a Toyota Unser carrying 253,600 white cigarettes, valued at RM178,027.20. Two vehicles, estimated to be worth RM165,000, were also seized.
The syndicate used boats to transport the cigarettes from Sungai Golok, transferring them between boats several times. All the cigarettes were destined for markets outside Kelantan, primarily for foreign construction workers. The syndicate's operation falls under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967, with penalties including hefty fines and imprisonment for first-time offenders.
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