SEPANG, Nov 8 — A total of 28 luxury cars, and six high-powered motorcycles, valued at millions of ringgit, were seized by Perak customs this year alone.
“The buyers paid for the cars in cash,” said Khazali.
Among the seized luxury cars were Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche, and a Mini Cooper. While the luxury motorcycles seized were of Ducati and Yamaha brands.
Khazali said they arrested 13 businessmen who bought the cars.
The suspects were released on bail while the case was being investigated.
Meanwhile, a customs officer seized a firearm with 16 bullets hidden in a pick up truck during a routine checkup at Bukit Berapit ICQ Complex in Perak.
Immigration records showed the vehicle, with a Thailand-registered number plate, regularly travelled in and out of the country.
The suspect, a foreigner in his 30s, had been remanded for 14 days beginning from November 1.
The case had been referred to police for investigation.
In Port Klang, customs officers seized 40 20-foot-long containers holding more than one million kilogrammes of rice on November 1.
The rice, valued at RM1.8 million and with an estimated RM720,000 in unpaid taxes, was reported to have been declared by the importers as sodium bisulfite in an attempt to avoid paying for the tax and import permit.
Customs Director General Datuk Sri Khazali Ahmad said the seizure was made by custom officers from Lumut, Perak from a tip-off.
“They tried to avoid the duty tax which is at 40 per cent. So the moment they falsely declared the contents, we seized the containers and arrested a suspects,” said Khazali.
The suspect, reported to be in his 30s, has been released on bail.
Khazali said customs had been working hand in hand with BERNAS to ensure no rice was imported without going through the proper channels.
“When they import rice illegally, they can sell it much cheaper, and this affects productivity of the country’s local providers.”
The case is being investigated for fraudulent declaration.
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