Penang: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Penang uncovered smuggled duty-free cigarettes and liquor worth RM3.6 million after raiding a warehouse in Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, on March 13. State JKDM director Datuk Rohaizad Ali said the raid was carried out at 9 am by a team of Enforcement Division officers under Op Petasan following public information and intelligence over the past two months.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the results of the inspection found 86,800 white cigarettes and kretek as well as 55,606.51 litres of beer and liquor of various brands worth RM3.6 million including tax. During the raid, the premises were found to be empty and unoccupied. Efforts are underway to trace the owner, Rohaizad stated at a press conference at the Perai Customs Prevention Complex.

Rohaizad explained that the syndicate used the premises involved as a transit storage location before the goods were believed distributed to the local market. He added that cigarettes and liquor were classified as prohibited goods under Part II of the Third Schedule, Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023.

Further investigations are still underway, and the case is being investigated under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967.