KUALA LUMPUR: Many may not realise that buying illicit cigarettes is equivalent to financing organised crime.
The World Customs Organisation Illicit Trade Report 2012 noted that the illicit tobacco trade was a good opportunity for organised crime groups to generate large profits.
It also reported that the proceeds of the illicit trade in tobacco were laundered or used to fund other crimes.
Interpol secretary-general Ronald K. Noble, in a statement in March, said the lack of control in the cigarette component supply chain has contributed to the sale of illicit cigarettes by organised crime syndicates, who are raking in billions in illegal profits.
In Malaysia, approximately one out of three packs of cigarettes sold are said to be illicit.
Last year’s Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Report had also ranked Malaysia second highest in the world in the illicit cigarette trade.
As such, the Customs Department is bent on halting the sale of smuggled cigarettes.
Its director-general, Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad, said yesterday the department welcomed the help of other enforcement agencies in its nationwide operation against illicit cigarettes, Op Outlet.
“Our effort to continue with operations, especially Op Outlet, is clear testimony of our resolve to cut the supply chain of illicit or contraband cigarettes.”
Khazali said the department also welcomed the help of the public, who were its eyes and ears.
The department’s director of intelligence, R. Mariappa, said the department had “re-strategised” efforts to fight the illicit trade.
He said the new wave of Op Outlet, which was relaunched in March this year, was geared towards reducing the demand for the contraband.
“This is done by continuously monitoring all outlets selling contraband. Those caught will be remanded and taken to court.”
Mariappa said the department had sought maximum sentences be meted out on those found guilty.
The operation involved the deployment of “strike teams” in all the states in the country to raid premises that were suspected to be selling illicit cigarettes.
The 44 strike teams comprise 200 officers from the department and from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.
The raids were also extended to all the ports and free-trade zones.
The department also uses ‘mystery shoppers’, who will carry out test buys at several outlets that are suspected of selling these cigarettes and if it is true, the information will be passed on to the strike team.
As of May 15, raids were carried out on 2,618 premises, of which 999 were found to be selling illicit cigarettes.
A total of 227 traders have been charged — 129 charged with selling the contraband and the rest for being in possession of smuggled cigarettes.
The department had also been working with other ministries and agencies, such as the Health Ministry, police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Besides the nationwide operations, the department had also distributed fliers and posters to sundry shops containing reminders and warnings to traders.