THE Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle in cigarettes worth RM8.71 million, inclusive of tax, after inspecting a container lorry in Johor Baru on December 28.

Its director, Sazali Mohamad, said the seizure at Pasir Gudang port at 11.45am was the result of information received and intelligence work by the Johor Customs Department’s Pasir Gudang enforcement division.

He said the inspection on the lorry found more than seven million sticks of cigarettes, suspected to be imported from China.

“The smugglers’ modus operandi was making a false and deceptive declaration that the items (in the container) were cabinets and their accessories to avoid high tax and having an import permit,” he told a press conference in Johor Baru today.

He said a 43-year-old local man working with a shipping company was detained to assist in the investigation.

On another case, Sazali said the department also seized 600 bottles of zam-zam mineral water, which were to be smuggled out, when inspecting a lorry at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Gelang Patah on December 30.

He said the lorry, driven by a 30-year-old local man with a 21-year-old attendant on board, was believed to be on its way to Singapore with 3,000 litres of the water worth RM66,000 at 3.45pm.

“The modus operandi was making a false declaration of the zam-zam water on the Customs form. Samples of the water were sent to the Chemistry Department on January 2 to determine if it is genuine,” he added. – Bernama, January 9, 2022.