In a significant crackdown on smuggling activities, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Penang has successfully foiled 240 smuggling and customs duty evasion attempts, resulting in the seizure of goods valued at over RM28 million.
This extensive operation underscores the department’s commitment to curbing smuggling and protecting the national economy. The seizures included a variety of goods, although specific details on the types of goods seized in Penang were not provided.
On a broader scale, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department has been intensifying its efforts to combat smuggling nationwide. As of March this year, the department foiled 1,856 smuggling activities involving various types of goods, with a total tax value of RM350 million. This figure represents an increase of 182% compared to the RM124 million reported in the same period last year.
Customs assistant director-general (Enforcement) Ribuan Abdullah highlighted that vehicle smuggling activities recorded the highest seizure value, amounting to RM27.8 million. Other significant seizures included contraband cigarettes worth RM10.7 million, drugs worth RM29.6 million, liquor worth RM8.9 million, and textiles worth RM3.9 million.
Among the vehicles seized were Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, Mercedes, and Yamaha RXZ motorcycles, many of which had been repaired. The department also seized subsidised goods such as cooking oil, petrol, and diesel, which were intended to be smuggled into neighbouring countries, valued at RM323,365.
The regions with the highest number of smuggling attempts included Sabah with 330 cases, Kelantan with 266 cases, Sarawak with 231 cases, Johor with 191 cases, and Selangor with 151 cases.
To enhance security measures, the Customs Department is set to install 40 units of baggage scanning machines equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology at eight airports nationwide. Ribuan Abdullah emphasized that these machines will significantly improve the department’s ability to identify items more clearly, such as those in containers, through more specific image analysis.
The use of advanced technology has already shown promising results, with the department successfully cracking down on the smuggling of drugs weighing 586 kilogrammes using the current scanning machines. Additionally, plans are underway to procure a cargo scanning machine with a high-tech “multi-view dual energy drive through” inspection system to further curb smuggling activities, particularly at Port Klang in Selangor.
Ribuan Abdullah reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring that smuggling activities are curbed through robust law enforcement and the use of the latest technology, aligning with their vision to preserve the economy and control the border.
Sources:
- [Penang Customs Foils 240 Smuggling Attempts, Seizes Over RM28 Mln Goods]
- [Customs Dept: 1,856 smuggling activities, seizures worth RM350m foiled as of March]
