RM5.67 million fireworks seizure in first half of 2013

The Customs Department foiled 101 attempts to smuggle fireworks and firecrackers estimated at RM5.67 million, in the first half of this year.

Customs Surveillance Division director R. Mariappa said the 322,000kg of pyrotechnics seized were worth RM3.61 million in taxes.

"These cases keep increasing every year, especially towards festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Deepavali as there's a big demand from the public," he said.

In 2011, RM7.8 million worth of items were seized involving 309 cases and in 2012 it was RM5.65 million comprising 365 cases, he said.

"But this year, it has touched RM5.67 million in the first six months only," he told Bernama, adding that they were believed to be smuggled in from China, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia via land and air routes.

He reminded the public that only two types of firecrackers were legal, namely Pop Pop and Happy Boom.