Customs Department bust attempt to smuggle in 8 containers of gaming machine components

The Malaysian Royal Customs Department busted an attempt by a syndicate to smuggle in eight containers filled with gaming machine components worth RM6.56 million at Northport in Port Klang last March 16 and March 17.

Its director-general Datuk T. Subromaniam said the components from China, with the Malaysian market as target, could produce about 1,227 gaming machines.

"This achievement has in a way helped to obstruct the activities of the syndicate," he told a media conference at the department''s enforcement division office here today.

He said the modus operandi of the syndicate was to declare the content of the containers as furniture in the bill of lading to avoid submitting an import permit.

Gaming machines are listed as import prohibited goods under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 2017, Item 64 of Schedule 3, Part I, except with a permit from the Ministry of Finance.

Subromaniam said two local male suspects have been remanded for five days, from today.

He said the men, "one in his 60s and the other aged 52 years" were nabbed in Semenyih, Selangor yesterday on suspicion of having direct links with the syndicate.

"We believe they are syndicate members. A thorough Investigation is ongoing to track down the rest, right down to the source.

"Duties on the seized goods worth RM6.56 million amount to RM2.48 million," he said.

-- BERNAMA