KUANTAN: Malaysia Customs Department seized 333 boxes of contraband firecrackers and fireworks worth RM471,650 near Raub here the other day.
The contraband was found on board an eight-tonne lorry which had been abandoned by its driver at the 365km stretch of the Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Kota Baru.
State Customs Department director Datuk Sarip Ismail said initial investigations revealed the vehicle was involved in the smuggling of firecrackers and fireworks from a neighboring country.
He said a team of Customs enforcement officers made the seizure at 1.15pm, following a tip-off from the public.
“The truck driver stopped the vehicle and dashed off upon realising that he was being trailed by Customs officers.
“Our men gave chase, but lost track of the man. We are in the midst of tracking the syndicate involved in smuggling the contraband.
“We believe Kelantan has been made the transit route (by the syndicate) before proceeding to Perak to market the firecrackers and fireworks for the coming Chinese New Year celebrations,” added Sarip.
He was speaking to reporters at the Wisma Kastam Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Firecrackers and fireworks are prohibited items under Item 47 of the Third Schedule under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2012.
Meanwhile, in another raid conducted here today, the Customs Department seized four luxury cars, namely a BMW, Lexus and two Mini Coopers believed to have been smuggled from Singapore for sale here.
Sarip said a man in his 50s was detained to facilitate investigations
