KUCHING: Customs officials have thwarted an attempt to smuggle aluminium waste worth over RM2 million overseas.
Its director Dr Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman in a press conference this morning (Nov 22), said a total of six containers declared as copper and aluminium flakes for export to overseas were inspected at Senari Port on Oct 12.
The operation codenamed ‘Op Demeter VIII’ that targets smuggling activities, was carried out by the Kuching Customs enforcement division around 2.30pm.
“Results found that the goods were not the same as declared in the Customs documents by the company.
“They found that the containers were full of aluminium waste weighing 158,284kg.
“The waste valued at RM2,168,200 with tax amounting to RM204,820, were seized and taken to the Kuching Customs Enforcement Division office,” he said.
Taufik stated that the shipping agent and the owner of a local goods exporting company in their 40s, were arrested for investigation under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
If convicted, the suspects will be fined up to RM500,000 or be sentenced to jail for a term up to seven years or both.
The company has made false declarations and certificates by declaring the goods as copper flakes and aluminium flakes to avoid submitting relevant agencies’ permits and avoid paying taxes.
He pointed out that all shipments of aluminium waste are prohibited goods under the Customs (Prohibition of Export) Order 2017 and its export must be approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
