KLIA’s RM2 billion smuggling scheme: 23 Customs officers, personnel to be charged in court

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) logo.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 24: A total of 23 Customs officers and personnel working in the cargo section of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will be brought to justice for conspiring with a syndicate smuggling, importing, and selling contraband cigarettes and liquor, leading to the leakage of tax revenue amounting to RM2 billion.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the arrest was made following the implementation of Ops Samba 2.0 from March 11 to 25, jointly conducted by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering Division (AML), Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

“In this operation, the MACC has arrested 34 officers and personnel from Grade 19 to 44 along with 27 individuals and company owners, and the investigation found that they conspired with the syndicate smuggling, importing and selling contraband cigarettes and liquor.

“Following the arrest of the individuals involved, the AML Division has confiscated mobile phones, laptops and eight luxury vehicles belonging to the syndicate involved to aid the investigation.

“Additionally, the MACC has frozen a total of 231 bank accounts belonging to individuals, companies and ‘akaun keldai’ (mule accounts) worth approximately RM18 million involved in the activities of the syndicate,” it said in a statement issued yesterday (May 23).

So far, two Customs officers have been charged in court.

Meanwhile, 23 others will be charged under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 165 of the Penal Code in six separate Sessions Courts nationwide until June 6. — DayakDaily