Cops seize RM600,000 worth of smuggled tires in Malaysia

An attempt to smuggle 727 tires worth more than RM600,000 through the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) has been busted by the cops here.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that the Marine Police Region 2 arrested a 56-year-old local man and seized the tires at the Kempas Toll at about 5.35 pm on Thursday (Oct 28).

“The police were monitoring the entry and exit point of the CIQ at about 1 pm. They later followed a lorry that was moving suspiciously.

“The tires were later found in the vehicle and were believed to have been smuggled in from Singapore. We believe that the syndicate operates by declaring not to carry any goods when passing through the CIQ.

“We are collaborating with the Customs Department to investigate how such an incident could have happened,” he said in a press conference at the Marine Police Region 2 headquarters here on Thursday (Nov 4).

He added that following the first arrest, another suspect was nabbed the following day by the Johor Baru North D9 Special Investigation branch at Taman Sri Skudai.

“We believe that the second suspect, who is 28-years-old, is the person in charge of managing the delivery of untaxed tires from Singapore to Malaysia,” he said.

He said that the lorry driver was remanded for seven days starting from Oct 29 until Nov 4 while the second suspect was remanded for two days from Oct 30 until Oct 31 and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967

Asked if there was a possibility of insiders from the CIQ being involved in the syndicate, Comm Ayob respond by saying that the matter was still under investigation.

“There is a lane dedicated for lorries that are not carrying any loads. An access card is required for them to pass through the lane.

“So, we need to know where are the flaws that are causing this to happen.

“This time, we are able to stop the smuggling of tires but there are other contrabands, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs that might also be smuggled in a similar manner. We are more worried about that,” he said.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES