MACC nabs firm owner, director over link to smuggling ring

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained the owner and director of a company suspected of colluding with a cigarette and alcohol smuggling syndicate.

According to sources, both individuals are allegedly collectors of mule accounts that were used to pay bribes to civil servants involved in releasing containers filled with cigarettes and alcohol without inspection.

They are also suspected of engaging in illegal activities such as online gambling and acting as intermediaries to find forwarding agents for illicit syndicates.

“As intermediaries, both suspects have allegedly paid amounts ranging from RM500 to RM1,000 to individuals who can provide identification documents to register as owners of bogus companies,” said the sources.

On Tuesday, the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court granted a request by MACC to remand the duo for three days.

Following Op Samba 2.0, the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division detained 14 more individuals, comprising 12 public servants and the two individuals, while they were providing statements at the MACC Headquarters.

“The 12 public servants were released after their statements were recorded, while the two were remanded to facilitate further investigation.”

Previously, through a special operation conducted jointly with the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia, 34 public servants and nine civilians believed to be involved in the syndicate from 2018 to 2023 were detained.

The syndicate is also believed to be involved in money laundering activities through “ghost companies” business accounts and money changers.

AML Division director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, when contacted, confirmed the remand order for the two suspects and that the case was being investigated under Section 17 (b) of the MACC Act 2009.

Meanwhile, another senior officer of an enforcement agency was remanded yesterday to assist in the investigation of a case involving the submission of false claims amounting to RM1.18 million four years ago.

The one-day remand order for the suspect, in his 40s, was issued by Magistrate Siti Noor Hasliza Md Ali following an application by MACC to conduct investigations under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

According to sources, the suspect, who is believed to have submitted false claims for ship maintenance work, was arrested at around 5pm after providing his statement at the MACC office in Kedah on Tuesday. – Bernama