KLANG, Feb 19 — The Pahang Customs Department this month foiled an attempt to smuggle eight containers of e-waste worth RM2.15 million at Northport, said its director Mohd Asri Seman.
He said the strike was called over intelligence and public information channelled to the department.
The containers were detained at CP Hall Yard, Northport, on February 3 at about 11am, in an operation conducted with the Selangor Environment Department (DOE).
“Checks found that eight 40ft (12.1m) containers were carrying various types of e-waste, including computer components, copper, and discarded wires and cables, with an estimated total weight of 186,737kg. The total value of the items seized is RM2.152 million.
“The items were believed to have been imported from Canada, Spain and Croatia without a valid permit and were falsely declared in the customs declaration form to avoid DOE’s requirement for import permits,” he told a press conference at Northport here today.
“The import of electronic waste is a controlled prohibited item under Item 54, Part 1, of the Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, which requires approval from the DOE director-general.”
Asri said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing prohibited items.
If found guilty, offenders may be fined between 10 times the items’ value or RM100,000 (whichever higher) and 20 times the items’ value or RM500,000 (whichever higher), imprisoned for between six months and five years, or both, for their first offence.
Asri said although the seizure was done in Selangor, the investigation and enforcement action was conducted by the Pahang Customs Department.
“The Customs Enforcement Division is not bound by state borders. Any state can take action based on the information received, and this case will be handled entirely by Pahang Customs through to the prosecution stage.”
He added that the department has identified the shipping agents involved, and that investigations are ongoing to determine the actual owners of the seized items.
“The seized items will be handed over to DOE for further action, including the process of returning them to their countries of origin.”
Asri urged those with information on smuggling to contact the Customs Department.
