JOHOR BARU: An attempt to smuggle 727 tyres worth more than RM600,000 through the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) have been busted by the cops here.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that the Marine Police Region 2 arrested a 56-year-old local man and seized the tyres at the Kempas Toll at about 5.35pm on Thursday (Oct 28).
"The police were monitoring the entry and exit point of the CIQ at about 1pm. They later followed a lorry that was moving suspiciously.
"The tyres were later found in the vehicle and were believed to have been smuggled in from Singapore. We believe that the syndicate operates by declaring not to carry any goods when passing through the CIQ.
"We are collaborating with the Customs Department to investigate how such an incident could have happen," he said in a press conference at the Marine Police Region 2 headquarters here today.
He added that following the first arrest, another suspect was nabbed the following day by the Johor Baru North D9 Special Investigation branch at Taman Sri Skudai.
"We believe that the second suspect, who is 28-years-old, is the person in charge of managing the delivery of untaxed tyres from Singapore to Malaysia," he said.
He said that the lorry driver was remanded for seven days starting from Oct 29 until Nov 4 while the second suspect was remanded for two days from Oct 30 until Oct 31 and the case in being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967
Asked if there was a possibility of insiders from the CIQ being involved in the syndicate, Comm Ayob said the matter was under investigation.
"There is a lane dedicated for lorries that are not carrying any loads. An access card is required for them to pass through the lane.
"So, we need to know where are the flaws that are causing this to happen.
"This time, we are able to stop the smuggle of tyres but there are other contraband, such as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs that might also be smuggled in a similar manner. We are more worried about that," he said.
