SEPANG, Aug 11 — A lorry driver and his attendant were arrested with suspected contraband cigarettes worth RM13.45 million at the Maju Expressway (MEX) toll plaza in Cyberjaya here on August 3.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the two Malaysians, aged 35 and 38, were arrested at 2.30pm when police intercepted their bonded Hino truck.
“The inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of a cargo of illicit cigarettes.
“Police seized 566 master cases (28,300 cartons of cigarettes) of various brands,” he said at a press conference here today, which was also attended by Sepang police chief Norhizam Bahaman.
Shazeli said that apart from the cigarettes, police also seized the Hino truck, two mobile phones, and four sheets of delivery orders.
He added that the results of the check found that both suspects had records of criminal offences and drug abuse.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which provides for a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of Customs duty or RM100,000 (whichever is greater), and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000 (whichever is higher), or imprisonment for between six months and five years, or both.
He added that the two men were charged at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court on August 7, with September 9 set for case mention.
Shazeli, meanwhile, said the success of the arrest and seizure of the untaxed cigarettes reflected the continued commitment of police, especially Bukit Aman’s Internal Security and Public Order Department, in combating the smuggling of untaxed goods.
He said the joint effort includes tackling wildlife crime.
