Malaysia Customs Seizes 2.5 million Cigarettes in Raid

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Nov.28.2023

Malaysia Customs Seizes 2.5 million Cigarettes in Raid

Malaysia's Royal Customs Department seized 2.5 million illegal cigarettes worth over RM2.1 million in a raid, the largest of its kind this year.

According to a report by Freemalaysiatoday, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized 2.5 million cigarettes worth over 2.1 million Malaysian Ringgit in a surprise operation in Bentong and Sungai Besar.

Director of the Customs Department, Abdul Ghafar Mohamad, has revealed yet another example of the department's exemplary enforcement efforts. This latest seizure is being hailed as the largest of its kind in the state this year.

He stated, "All cigarette boxes are wrapped in plastic to prevent them from getting wet, and no arrests have been made. In fact, we are still tracing the owners of the implicated properties to assist in the investigation.

The case is being investigated under section 135(1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967. If found guilty, the offender may be fined up to RM500,000 or face a maximum prison sentence of 5 years, or both.

References:

[1] Kastam rampas rokok seludup RM2.1 juta

Also Read:

[1] Call for Regulation of E-cigarette Industry in Malaysia without GEG

[2] Call for Immediate Regulation of E-cigarettes and E-liquid in Malaysia

#USA

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

EU to Abstain from WHO Tobacco Treaty Vote Amid Deep Internal Split

The European Union will abstain from voting at the upcoming 11th session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) in Geneva, following months of internal disagreement over how to regulate tobacco and nicotine products. The decision marks a rare and public fracture in EU health policy, reportedly driven by the European Commission’s hardline anti-tobacco stance.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Thailand’s health minister rejects vaping as a smoking cessation alternative

Thailand’s Public Health Minister Phatthana Phromphat has reaffirmed that the government does not support cigarettes or e-cigarettes in any form and opposes the use of e-cigarettes as a substitute for smoking cessation.

Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Former Malaysian Health Minister Allegedly Rejected RM50 Million Bribe Over GEG

A former political aide has alleged that a RM50 million bribe was offered to Malaysia’s then health minister to abandon the tobacco generational end game (GEG) policy. The claim was published in an opinion article and on social media. No report was made to anti-corruption authorities. Despite the alleged rejection, the GEG provision was later removed from the tobacco bill tabled in Parliament in 2023.

Dec.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Azerbaijan Parliament Passes E-cigarette Ban Bill in First Reading

Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis has approved, in its first reading, a bill that would ban the import, export, production, storage, wholesale and retail sale, and use of electronic cigarettes and their components. The bill amends the Law on Tobacco and Tobacco Products, classifying nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as tobacco products while explicitly excluding heated tobacco products. If adopted, the law would take effect on February 1, 2026.