Latest news with #JohorCustoms
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
RM5 billion lost annually to illicit cigarette trade
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia incurs significant losses from the rampant trade in illicit cigarettes, with an estimated RM5 billion in tax revenue lost annually, according to the latest NielsenIQ Illicit Cigarettes Study released in March. The study found that illegal cigarettes make up 54.6% of all cigarettes sold in the country, highlighting the size and strength of the black market. The widespread trade not only deprives the government of crucial revenue but also undermines national public health efforts. A key finding was the dominance of 10 leading contraband brands, which together account for roughly 75% of all illicit cigarettes smuggled into Malaysia. The brands are identified as primary contributors to ongoing tax leakage. The report also flagged serious concerns over tax stamp fraud. It revealed that 69% of illegal cigarette packs carried no tax stamp at all, while 31% bore counterfeit stamps – indicating growing sophistication among smuggling syndicates. As of March, fake tax stamps were found on 16.7% of seized illicit packs, up from 15.6% in May 2024. This rising trend suggests that criminal networks are becoming increasingly adept at circumventing enforcement and exploiting weaknesses in the regulatory system. In addition, the top 10 brands found with counterfeit tax stamps did not overlap with the top 10 most consumed contraband brands, suggesting a wider and more complex illicit trade network than previously understood. Johor, Selangor and Sabah were identified as key hotspots for smuggling activity. The states serve as major entry and distribution points for illegal tobacco products and represent a large proportion of national cigarette consumption, making them critical targets in enforcement efforts. Despite the scale of the issue, the study noted slight progress. The prevalence of illicit cigarettes fell by 0.2%, from 54.8% in January 2024 to 54.6% in March this year. This modest decline is attributed to continued enforcement by the authorities. The study also highlighted a longer term downward trend, with the rate of illicit cigarette consumption dropping steadily since peaking at 63.8% in 2020. The improvement is credited to stronger enforcement and the ban on trans-shipment of tobacco products. A significant breakthrough in the fight against the trade occurred on March 5, when Johor Customs intercepted a major shipment at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas. Officers discovered more than six million contraband cigarettes concealed among 444 pieces of plywood in a 40-foot container. The shipment had been falsely declared in Customs documentation as 'other plywood, consisting solely of sheets of wood'. The seized items were valued at RM1.61 million, with unpaid duties estimated at RM4.58 million. The case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for false declaration.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- New Straits Times
RM955k morphine busted: Drug syndicate foiled at Johor courier hub
JOHOR BARU: The Customs Department foiled an attempt by a drug syndicate to smuggle more than RM955,000 worth of morphine via courier services, following the interception of two suspicious parcels. Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the seizure was made by a team from the department's Narcotics Branch after a thorough inspection at a Pos Laju office here at 3.35pm on April 23. "Initial checks revealed that the parcels had been sent from Hong Kong to a residential address in Pulai," he told a press conference today. He said each box contained two packets of sweets placed on top of a white bottle filled with a dark-coloured liquid. "Preliminary testing of the liquid confirmed it to be morphine," he said. Aminul said the department was working to identify members of the syndicate and trace the intended recipient of the parcels. He said that this was the sixth case this year involving attempts to smuggle drugs using courier services. "Previous seizures using similar methods involved drugs such as cannabis, sent from countries including Thailand and Vietnam," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
Malay Mail
12-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Johor Customs foil drug syndicate's RM1m smuggling attempt via courier service
JOHOR BARU, June 12 — The Johor Customs Department has uncovered an international drug syndicate's tactic of using courier services to smuggle narcotics from Hong Kong to Malaysia, seizing nearly RM1 million worth of drugs. Johor Customs Department director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the bust was made after enforcement officers inspected two suspicious parcels at a Pos Laju office here on April 23. 'An inspection of the parcels revealed a white bottle containing black liquid, which tested positive for morphine. The liquid weighed 10.194 kilogrammes and had an estimated street value of RM955,687,' he said at a press conference at Menara Kastam here today. Aminul Izmeer said investigations revealed the parcels had been sent from Hong Kong to a two-storey terrace house in Pulai, Johor. However, the owner of the house and the individuals involved are still under investigation. He added that the syndicate had disguised the drugs as candy and placed them in black liquid bottles to evade detection. 'This is a major success for the Johor Customs Department this year. We will continue to intensify inspections of suspicious parcels at all entry points, including courier centres,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking.
