Kastam rampas etomidate, rokok dan arak lebih RM1 juta

Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia (JKDM) Pahang has intercepted a significant amount of contraband, including etomidate powder, cigarettes, and untaxed alcoholic beverages, amounting to more than RM1 million. The interception took place through separate seizures in Selangor and Pulau Pinang. The largest seizure involved 5.13kg of white powder suspected to be etomidate, estimated to be worth RM769,500, found in a container at a distribution center in Shah Alam, Selangor on September 3.

The container was believed to have been shipped via air, with the recipient's identity still unknown as the address only mentioned a nameless recipient. The seized items were initially labeled as baking powder for cake-making, but further chemical analysis confirmed the presence of etomidate powder. Asri Seman, the Kastam Officer for Pahang, stated that the seized etomidate powder is considered an illicit import under the Customs (Prohibition of Import) 2023, requiring approval from the Ministry of Health and a license under the Poisons Act 1952.

The seized etomidate powder is believed to be used in the production of vape products, although its classification status is still under investigation. In a separate seizure on September 8, JKDM Pahang intercepted 20,000 packs of white cigarettes, 400,000 cigarette sticks, and 6,504 bottles of various taxed alcoholic beverages at a vacant warehouse in Sungai Jawi, Pulau Pinang.

The value of the seized cigarettes and alcoholic beverages was RM32,000 and RM22,342, respectively, with a total of RM371,366 in duties and taxes. Asri Seman reported that JKDM Pahang has seized a total of RM16.97 million worth of contraband, including duties and taxes, between January and mid-October of the current year. This includes 191 tax investigations, 38 arrests related to tax evasion, and a high volume of cigarette smuggling cases.

Pahang's strategic land and sea connections, connecting the northern, southern, and western parts of Peninsular Malaysia, make it a significant route for smuggling activities, aside from serving local demand.