Penang: The Penang Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) busted a syndicate involved in smuggling untaxed cigarettes and liquor worth RM3.95 million in two separate raids at premises used as storage facilities in Tasek Gelugor and Teluk Wang, Bukit Mertajam, last month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, state acting customs director Ramizah Bee Salleh Ghany said enforcement officers raided an unoccupied warehouse in Mukim 19, Teluk Wang, Bukit Mertajam, at 12.40 pm on April 24 following intelligence gathered. Inspections at the premises uncovered 130,800 white and kretek cigarettes, together with 63,647.30 litres of liquor of various brands worth RM3.68 million, including taxes.

She stated at a press conference at the Bagan Jermal enforcement storage facility that customs officers conducted surveillance for two weeks before the raid, with the seized items believed to be intended for the local market.

In a separate raid at a shop in Tasek Gelugor at 11 am on April 22, officers seized 242,640 white and kretek cigarettes of various brands worth RM263,233.08, including taxes. Ramizah Bee noted that the contraband was hidden inside toilets and beneath stacks of used boxes to avoid detection by authorities.

A local man in his late 30s, believed to be the owner of the premises, was arrested. Initial investigations found the cigarettes and liquor were meant for distribution in the local market. Investigations are ongoing, including to determine whether both cases were linked to the same syndicate. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.