Perlis: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs) seized cannabis and cigarettes worth a total of RM2,954,820 in three separate incidents early this month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim stated that 30 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at RM2.94 million, were confiscated during an inspection at the Kuala Perlis marine entry point at 1 am on August 7. He explained that the inspection revealed four gunny sacks containing 146 transparent plastic packs filled with cannabis. The case is expected to be investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

In addition, Ismail Hashim disclosed that customs officers seized 22,400 cigarettes worth RM6,720, with unpaid tax amounting to RM15,456, during a roadside check on a Proton Iswara on Jalan Kuala Sungai Baru, Kuala Perlis. The vehicle was driven by a 54-year-old man at 4.45 pm on August 6. The man was arrested and subsequently released on Customs bail of RM5,000.

The operations continued as customs officials seized 27,000 cigarettes worth RM8,100, with unpaid tax of RM18,630, from an unoccupied house located at the back of a shop in Taman Kepala Batas, Kedah at 3.30 am on August 7. These cases are under investigation pursuant to Section 135(1) and 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.