SANDAKAN: Sabah Customs foiled attempts to smuggle pangolin scales, contraband cigarettes and subsidised diesel worth almost RM1.5 million in four separate operations conducted in Sandakan in June and July.
Its Director Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman said the largest seizure involved 100kg of pangolin scales estimated worth RM1.3 million. The department also seized 95,080 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes of various brands and 2,645 litres of subsidised diesel.
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Speaking at a press conference at Wisma Kastam Sandakan, Thursday, Taufik said the pangolin scales were discovered on July 6 during a routine inspection at the Sandakan air cargo entry point by officers from the Sandakan Customs Enforcement Division and the Sandakan Cargo Unit.
Pangolins, commonly referred to as ant eaters, play an important role in biodiversity and their decline leads to an increase in termite infestations.
Initial investigations found that the pangolin scales were believed to have been intended for export without a valid permit or approval from the Sabah Wildlife Department, as required under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (CITES).
“The syndicate is also believed to have falsely declared the shipment as other goods in Customs Form No. 3 to mislead inspections and evade detection by the authorities,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 10 of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008.
Taufik said individuals convicted under the Act are liable to a fine of up to RM100,000 for each scheduled species, or any readily recognisable part or derivative of the animal, subject to a maximum aggregate fine of RM1 million, imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.
Also present was Sandakan Customs Chief Mohd Nazrin Abdullah @ Jaikol Mekahuil @ Simon.
In the second case, on June 15, enforcement officers discovered 80,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes abandoned in a bushy area near Kampung Bariawa, Batu 8.
The cigarettes were estimated to be worth RM16,000, with unpaid duties and taxes amounting to RM56,160.
“The syndicate is believed to have used the secluded area as a temporary storage site before distributing the smuggled cigarettes to the local market,” he said.
In the third case on June 16, Customs seized 15,080 sticks of cigarettes of various brands together with a four-wheel-drive vehicle during an inspection at a parking area along Jalan Sedco, Batu 2½.
The cigarettes were valued at RM3,350, with unpaid duties and taxes amounting to RM10,619.56, while the vehicle was estimated to be worth RM50,000.
The syndicate was believed to have used a rented vehicle to conceal its movements and reduce the risk of being directly linked to cigarette smuggling activities.
Meanwhile, under Ops Tiris 4.0 on June 3, Customs seized 2,645 litres of subsidised diesel stored in 60 drums, a plastic water tank and a fibre drum at the Sandakan Public Market Jetty area.
The diesel was estimated worth RM12,352.15, with duties and taxes amounting to RM1,587, and was believed to have been stored before being smuggled out of the country by sea.
Taufik said the three cases involving cigarettes and diesel are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Overall, the four cases involved seized goods worth RM1,381,702.15, with unpaid duties and taxes totalling RM68,366.56, bringing the total value of the seizures to RM1,450,068.71.
He said Customs would continue intensifying enforcement efforts to curb smuggling and the distribution of prohibited goods to safeguard government revenue, national security and public well-being.
Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are urged to contact the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or report to the nearest Customs office.
He assured that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
