PADANG BESAR: The Customs Department in Perlis has detained a teenager and seized 517,394 vape devices and accessories worth over RM12 million, with unpaid duties amounting to RM2.6 million, from a warehouse in Padang Besar last month.
The raid was conducted on August 12 in Kampung Kolam by the Customs Enforcement Branch team from Padang Besar, following intelligence and surveillance operations in the area.
Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim said the 19-year-old was detained for allegedly acting as the caretaker of the warehouse, which is believed to be owned by his father.
“Initial investigations revealed the warehouse was used as a transit point for smuggling vape devices and accessories into Thailand. All the vape products were sourced from China.
“They were brought in via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and then transported to the warehouse for storage before being illegally moved across the border using pickup trucks or container lorries,” he said.
He shared the details during a press conference at the Customs Department Enforcement Storage Facility in Perlis today.
He added that the modus operandi involved storing the vape devices in the warehouse without any official import documents.
“Our inspections found that the parties involved failed to present valid import documents or proof of duty payment.
“We were also informed that if the syndicate faced difficulties moving the vape devices into Thailand via the Perlis-Malaysia border, they would reroute through Kelantan to ensure entry into the country,” he said.
Ismail noted that this was the largest seizure in Perlis for the year, and the case is being investigated under Section 133(1)(f) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a penalty of up to RM500,000, or a maximum jail term of seven years, or both upon conviction.
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