DENGKIL: Over 27 million contraband cigarettes seized by the Federal Territory Customs Department since 1997 was destroyed at the Enforcement Division of Dengkil Customs Office here today.
The cigarettes, consisting various brands, weighed 23.59 tonnes and valued at RM2.8 million and RM16.82 million in unpaid taxes.
Customs deputy director-general Datuk Matrang Suhaili he said the country loses over RM1 billion in revenue annually due to smuggling of contraband cigarettes.
"As of October 31, the department has seized over 4 million cigarettes worth RM437,000 and RM2.25 million of unpaid tax," he added.
He said a total of 1,003 people were arrested in relation to the distribution and sale of these cigarettes in which some 50 percent were foreigners.