Selangor: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department Central Zone II (Selangor) has confiscated rice, electronic waste, cigarettes, and snuff tobacco with a combined value exceeding RM10 million. The seizures occurred during a series of operations at West Port and other locations across Selangor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Central Zone Customs assistant director-general Norlela Ismail reported that 18,500 kilograms of rice, valued at RM169,400, were seized in a raid on a container at West Port in July. The rice, suspected to have been illegally imported from Pakistan, was falsely declared as cashew nuts and parboiled basmati rice. Norlela highlighted that rice is a prohibited item requiring an import permit from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
In a separate incident, Customs officials intercepted 13 containers at West Port in September, preventing the smuggling of 300,000 kilograms of electronic waste valued at RM1.65 million. The e-waste, originating from a European country, was misdeclared as aluminum alloy. Norlela emphasized that importing e-waste necessitates approval under the Basel Convention, and scheduled waste under code SW110 requires the Department of Environment’s authorization.
Further, Norlela disclosed the seizure of 728,972 sticks of white and Kretek cigarettes, valued at RM608,803, during raids conducted on October 22, 24, and November 8. These contraband items were discovered in uninhabited homes in Hulu Langat, Kajang, and Bandar Sri Damansara, believed to be used by multiple syndicates for local distribution.
On November 5, the Selangor Customs, alongside the special investigation branch from the headquarters, confiscated 100 plastic bags containing suspected snuff tobacco during a container inspection at West Port. The tobacco weighed 3,000 kilograms and was valued at RM8.44 million, with the container falsely declared as ‘various mixed goods’ to avoid detection.
All these cases are under investigation pursuant to Section 135(1)(a) and Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.