Kota bharu: The Kelantan branch of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) thwarted an attempt to distribute various brands of chewing tobacco worth over RM626,000 including taxes in an operation at Kampung Kukang, Kadok near Kota Bharu recently.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long, the director of Kelantan JKDM, reported that a JKDM team from the Rantau Panjang enforcement branch, in collaboration with the Eastern Intelligence Zone through ‘Operation Macan Legit II’, conducted a raid at approximately 4.30 am on August 4. The operation resulted in the seizure of six vehicles, including a three-tonne Isuzu lorry and five Pajero four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The inspection of these vehicles revealed 122 boxes of chewing tobacco, weighing 2,587.5 kilogrammes, believed to have been illegally imported through ‘rat lanes’ at the border. The estimated value of the chewing tobacco seizure is RM59,512.50, while the total value of the seizure, including vehicles, amounted to RM474,512.50, with total taxes involved at RM151,536.93.

The goods were believed to be intended for the Klang Valley market, targeting local consumers and workers from Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh. A 29-year-old man, the lorry driver, was arrested to assist in the investigation under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.

If offenders are found guilty, they can face penalties ranging from a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of the Customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is greater, to not exceeding 20 times the amount of the Customs duty or RM500,000, or imprisonment for a term of between six months and five years, or both.

Wan Jamal Abdul Salam also encouraged the public to report any smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, assuring that the informant’s identity will be kept confidential. He highlighted that smuggling not only results in a loss of state revenue but can also threaten the safety and well-being of the people.