Customs seize contraband cigarettes worth RM7m in Port Dickson

SEREMBAN: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized 8.98 million sticks of contraband cigarettes using the SAAT brand valued at RM7 million in a raid in Port Dickson.
Deputy Director-General (Enforcement and Compliance) Datuk Zulkifli Yahya said they seized the smuggled goods at a private jetty in Port Dickson at about 12.30am on July 11.
"During the raid, the customs officers had also arrested seven local men and nine foreigners aged between 22 and 47 years.
"This is the biggest seizure in the state for this year," he said in a press conference here today.
Zulkifli said during the operations, some of the cigarettes had been loaded into a lorry, while the rest were still inside a 168-tonne vessel.
"Our preliminary investigation found that the vessel was scheduled to travel from Singapore to Medan, Indonesia, however, changed its route to the private jetty in Port Dickson instead to conduct smuggling activities.
"All arrested were charged under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967," said Zulkifli adding that all the suspects were charged in court in Port Dickson yesterday and the hearing would be held on Aug 17. — Bernama