SHAH ALAM (Bernama): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle zam zam water from Saudi Arabia into the country at West Port, Port Klang near here.

       Central Zone Customs principal assistant director Datuk Zazuli Johan said in a statement on Thursday (July 8) that the Central Zone Unit III (LTA Kuala Lumpur) seized 27, 500 litres of zam zam water from a container there on Friday (July 2).

       The value was estimated to be RM206, 250 and the duty amounted to RM66, 000, he added.

       "The modus operandi in smuggling zam zam water is to declare it as juices and drinking water to avoid a higher tariff, " he said.

       Investigations found that the seized zam zam water was brought in from Saudi Arabia without a valid import permit while tax and duty were not paid.

       According to Zazuli, zam zam water is classified as a prohibited import item under the third schedule of Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2017.

       "Importing zam zam water without a permit is an offence under Section 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967 and Regulation 30 (1) of the Free Zone (Amendment) Regulations 2019, " he added. – Bernama