PUTRAJAYA: Several enforcement agencies have collaborated successfully to thwart 318 smuggling attempts along the country’s borders during the first quarter of this year, under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism secretary-general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim said they seized RM1.8 million worth of petrol and diesel in 250 of the cases while the rest involved the smuggling of subsidised goods.
He informed that of the 318 cases 10 have been charged in court and 14 fined a total of RM33,400.
Last year, police; the Customs, Immigration and Road Transport Departments; Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Anti-Smuggling Unit worked together and managed to carry out 631 arrests and seize RM15.5 million worth of goods, with 110 of the cases fined RM506,510 and 43 charged in court, he said.
“This close cooperation shows the holistic way in which the related agencies worked together to combat smuggling at the borders,” he told reporters after closing the 1 Enforcement Conference here yesterday on behalf of deputy minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe.
Five hundred representatives from 20 agencies attended the conference which was held for the first time. — Bernama