IPOH: It took the Perak Customs Department more than 12 hours to transport out contraband cigarettes worth about RM1mil from an oil palm estate in Batu Kurau due to bad road and weather conditions during an operation.

       State Customs director Datuk Dr Mohamad Saprin said the path leading to the estate in Kampung Tersusun Batu 19 1/2 was on a steep hill slope and it was also raining heavily when his officers raided the place at 6.30pm on Feb 15.

       “We tried to bring out the seized goods earlier but were not successful as the path was on a slippery slope,” he said yesterday.

       “We had to bring in a 4WD vehicle to help transport out the cigarettes at 2am.”

       Mohamad said a total of 1,267,500 sticks of cigarettes were found kept in two lorries at the estate.

       “The 4WD vehicle had to make several trips and we finished moving the items by 9am.

       “We also had to conduct our operation in total darkness and during a downpour in the estate,” he added.

       Mohamad said the department carried out three other operations here between Jan 28 and Feb 22 and seized contraband cigarettes and alcoholic drinks worth about RM105,000.

       On Jan 28, officers raided a car workshop in Taman Pertama and seized 78,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes valued at RM65,000.

       On Feb 14, a grocery shop in Jalan Sultan Yussof was raided where 2,936 sticks of cigarettes and 196.67 litres of alcohol of various brands worth RM10,000 were confiscated.

       “On Feb 22, we raided a house in Kampung Sungai Tapah here and seized 33,270 sticks of cigarettes worth about RM30,000,” he said, adding that three men were also arrested.

       Mohamad said those found guilty could be fined not less than 10 times the value of the seized items or RM100,000, whichever is higher and not more than 20 times the value of the seized items or RM500,000, whichever is higher.

       “Offenders can also face jail time of up to five years.

       “We urge the public to help the Customs Department in combating smuggling activities involving cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, drugs and vehicles,” he said.

       Those with information on smuggling activities can contact the Customs Department on the toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office in all states.

       “The identity of the informant will be kept secret,” said Mohamad.