Police identify four smuggling syndicates - Acryl Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Four planned crime syndicates have been identified as the culprits behind the smugglings of cigarettes, liquor, drugs and jungle produce, said Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

Without divulging details on the syndicates, he said the syndicate comprised locals who had the financial means to smuggle goods on a large scale.

‘’The police are now conducting intelligence work to identify the main individuals masterminding the syndicates to enable more stringent actions to be taken.

‘’It is difficult to prove the existence of the syndicates in their smuggling activities as they hire locals and foreign nationals by giving orders from afar,’’ he told a media conference in Bukit Aman, here today.

Acryl Sani said that they would not be at the location when the smuggling activities were being carried out which made it difficult for the police to charge them.

He said that police could not link the masterminds with the syndicates’ smuggling activities, adding that the police would use the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Funding and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) to seize property which were believed to be the results of their activities.

‘’They also hire locals and a small number of foreigners to accommodate logistic supports such as delivery, storage and also distribution of smuggled goods,’’ he said.

Acryl Sani said that the syndicate were believed to comprise those who wanted to avoid the taxes imposed other than smuggling in banned items such as cigarettes which were forbidden for sale in this country.

‘’As such, it results in a huge loss to the nation as the sale of legitimate cigarettes will drop and affect the duty the country collects.

‘’The number of cigarettes which enter the country is overwhelming and has an implication on smokers as to whether the cigarettes were made in accordance with permitted health standard or otherwise,’’ he added.

-- BERNAMA