CUSTOMS SEIZE THAI CIGARETTES WORTH RM1 MILLION

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Customs Department seized an
assortment of cigarettes in separate raids in West Port, Port Klang and Pandan
Perdana residential area here.

Customs deputy director-general (enforcement) Md Hassim Pardi said, in the
first raid on Friday, a team of customs officers seized a container in West Port
near here and seized Thai cigarettes worth about RM1 million (US$268,127).

Duty amounting to RM4.67 million (US$1.2 million) was unpaid for the
cigarettes which Md Hassim said, was falsely declared as 'Adhesive Gum'.

Speaking to reporters at the Customs enforcement division office in Kelana
Jaya, he said: "While there was no importer's address, an officer from the
shipping agent has been detained to facilitate investigations."

In a separate raid, Md Hassim said customs officers seized a van filled with
cigarettes in front of a transport company in a housing estate here on Feb 17.

He said the Thai cigarettes were worth about RM20,000 (US$5,361), adding
that the van driver was detained to facilitate investigations.
-- BERNAMA