Selangor: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Selangor foiled attempts to smuggle prohibited goods, worth over RM10 million, through several operations since August. Its director, Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, stated that the commodities seized included cigars, LED display panels, rice, and electronic cigarettes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the syndicate's modus operandi involved using false declarations to mislead authorities and circumvent import permit requirements at the West Port Free Zone and North Port Free Zone. In the first operation on August 1, a 40-foot container at the West Port Free Zone was detained after inspections revealed 8,750 kilograms of cigars without valid import permits. The goods, valued at RM6.06 million including duties and taxes, were deceitfully declared as 'Beverages and Etc.'

Mohamad Azhar detailed a second case on August 5, where two 40-foot containers were seized at the North Port Free Zone. Inspections uncovered 480 LED display panels worth RM2.52 million, declared as 'Display Panel, Hand Tools and Hardware Accessories' to avoid detection, despite needing a permit from the Energy Commission.

On August 28, a 20-foot container was detained at the West Port Free Zone, revealing 19,000 kilograms of rice worth RM106,400. The goods were falsely declared as 'Epson Ammonium Sulfate' to bypass a permit from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS).

Further intelligence led to the seizure of another 40-foot container on September 9 at the same location, confiscating 30,000 electronic cigarettes and 900,000 milliliters of nicotine liquid valued at RM1.32 million. These goods, requiring a Ministry of Health permit, were declared as a 'Storage Box' to avoid detection.

All cases are under investigation under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, concerning the importation of prohibited goods.