Malaysian Customs Seize Cigarettes With Fake Tax Stamps

DENGKIL: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) has confiscated RM18.13 million worth of contraband and smuggled cigarettes in Ops Tampal operations around the Klang Valley which started on Sept 22.

Customs director-general Datuk Seri Paddy Abd Halim at a press conference here yesterday said the seizure involved 23.5 million sticks of white cigarettes and 56,400 kretek cigarettes involving 10 brands.

He said the smuggling of fake tax stamp cigarettes involved 22 million sticks of white cigarettes and 26,200 kretek cigarettes worth RM2.2 million and a tax of RM14.76 million.

The Ops Tampal also succeeded in cracking down on illegal smuggling activities involving six people and seizing 1.5 million sticks of white cigarettes and 30,200 kretek cigarettes with an estimated value of RM153,000 and taxation of RM1.02 million, he said.

Paddy said people should be aware of the illegal sale of cigarettes if they find it is priced below RM10 a box which is an easy way to find out the authenticity of the tax stamp.

“Smuggled cigarettes and cigarettes with fake tax stamps are believed to be sold at around RM5,“ he said.

The RMCD also calls on retailers not to deal with any seller of cigarettes under RM10 to jointly fight the sale of fake tax stamps and smuggled cigarettes, he said. — Bernama

source: thesundaily.my