Customs catching up with smugglers via new strategy
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Royal Malaysian Customs has, through a new approach called Collaborated Border Management (CBM), foiled more than 100 attempts to smuggle various items worth RM80mil.
Customs deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Datuk T. Subromaniam said the CBM, which was launched in Sepanggar Port in Kota Kinabalu and the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Johor Baru two months ago, showed very positive results.
He said Customs officers had seized various brands of liquor, cigarettes, rice and tyres in 106 containers at the two entry points.
“The placement of Customs enforcement officers who are armed in the front line together with assessment officers at entry points, is capable of curbing smuggling more effectively,” he told reporters at the Customs office here yesterday.
Previously, he said, the enforcement officers would only act based on information.
Subromaniam said the CBM was launched simultaneously yesterday in four northern states, namely Kedah, Perlis, Penang and Perak, involving five entry points.
“After this, it will be extended to the whole country to thwart smuggling activities,” he added.
Subromaniam said the new strategy could also reduce various costs, including logistic, and overcome shortage of enforcement personnel at the department.
The department, he said, would receive several scanning machines which would be placed at entry points to curb smuggling via land and sea.
He said a total of 4,808 smuggling cases were recorded from January until Sept 15 this year, involving drugs, cigarettes, vehicles, liquor and fireworks, worth RM335.67 million, with tax amounting to RM464.22mil unpaid. - Bernama
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