KLANG: The Royal Customs Department seized 6.4 million cigarette sticks worth RM4.6 million after impounding a container at Jalan Parang at Port Klang here on Tuesday.
Customs (Enforcement and Compliance) deputy director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yahya said a check in the container found that the cigarette sticks of the Canyon and Saat brands worth RM4.2 million with unpaid duty were kept in it.
“Our personnel managed to cripple the smuggling attempt after stopping a lorry at Jalan Parang here. We believe the cigarettes is for the local market and it is being sold at a cheaper price compared to the market price,“ he told a press conference at Wisma Kastam Selangor here yesterday.
Zulkifli added a check of the items and documents presented by the lorry driver found that the declared items were not the same as those found in the containers which left North Port using a manifest which stated fabrics.
He said the seized cigarettes are imported goods and it requires an import license and duty stamps by Customs.
A 36-year-old local was also arrested and remanded to facilitate the investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1) (e) of the Customs Act 1967 for transporting contraband goods, he said.
Zulkifli also urged the public to help the Customs Department combat smuggling activities, especially of cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and drugs.
He said they could provide information by calling the telephone number 03-78036568 or Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855.
