Kuala Lumpur: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Central Zone Unit III at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) seized a luxury car, drugs, and alcoholic beverages worth RM164,715 in separate operations in Sepang, KLIA, and Cyberjaya, Selangor, recently.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JKDM Central Zone assistant director-general, Norlela Ismail, disclosed that on January 2, they seized a luxury vehicle in a housing area in Sepang, estimated to be worth RM90,000, due to unpaid taxes. The vehicle was listed as a prohibited item under Item 4, Schedule II, Part II of the Customs Order (Prohibition on Import) 2023, requiring an import permit for its importation.

Norlela explained that the modus operandi involved importing and storing tax-unpaid vehicles in abandoned housing areas. No arrests have been made in connection to this incident, and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.

In another case, Norlela reported that her team thwarted a smuggling attempt of drugs via air freight at the KLIA Mail and Courier Centre. They seized five packages containing cannabis and methylenedioxymenthamphetamine (MDMA), weighing 1,056 grammes, with an estimated value of RM73,940.

She stated that inspections conducted on January 4, 6, 14, and 15 led them to believe that the packages were intended for both domestic and international markets, involving courier services and false declarations. This case is currently under investigation under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Additionally, on January 9, Norlela's team raided a premises in Cyberjaya, suspected of selling various brands of alcoholic beverages marked as Malaysian Duty Not Paid (MDNP). They seized 85.59 litres of alcohol, valued at approximately RM775. The suspected individual, a Malaysian citizen, was detained and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.