CUSTOMS DEPT RECORDS HIGHEST SEIZURE THIS YEAR IN ITS HISTORY

LUMUT (Perak, Malaysia), Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The Customs Department recorded the
biggest success this year in its history with the seizure of goods worth
RM498.31 million (US$158.975 million) up to November.

Its director-general Mohamed Khalid Yusuf said the amount was expected to
increase to RM500 million by the year end. (US$1=RM3.13)

"We have never reached that amount before and this is a meaningful
achievement for the department and country.

"Last year, we managed to seize goods worth RM338.05 million and RM169.2 in
2008," he said after the official opening of the 16th Patkor Kastima Operation
at the Kampung Acheh Customs marine jetty, here, Friday.

The operation involves Malaysia and Indonesia's Customs and Excise
Department, which was represented by its director-general Thomas Sugijata at the
opening ceremony.

Mohamed Khalid said this year's success had been the result of hard work by all
levels of Customs personnel nationwide.

He said one of the biggest seizures made was that of ceramic tiles worth RM119
million which were supposed to be for export but were sold in the local market.

Among the other goods seized this year were contraband cigarettes worth RM86
million, drugs (RM42 million), vehicles (RM31 million), electrical
appliances(RM17 million), communication devices (RM12 million), and firecrackers
and fireworks (RM11 million).

The 16th Patkor Kastima Operation involves five patrol vessels each from
Malaysia and Indonesia.

A total of 127 Customs personnel, comprising 59 from Malaysia and 68 from
Indonesia are taking part in the three-phase operation from Dec 15 to 23.
-- BERNAMA



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