KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's Anti-Money Laundering division is currently looking for a 38-year-old civil servant to assist investigations into a smuggling syndicate.
MACC believes Mohammad Zyed Ibrahim, whose last known address is Mesahill Apartment, Persiaran Ilmu BBN, Bandar Baru Nilai, can help shed light on the activities of the syndicate which smuggled tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol, among others, into the country.
Those with information on Zyed's whereabouts should contact investigating officer Mohammad Riduwan Mohammad Radzi at 016-4603096 or email him at mriduwan@sprm.gov.my.
It had been reported that smugglers were bringing in goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes by making false declarations to deceive authorities at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Furthermore, they also smuggled in car spare parts and cosmetic products without Customs approval, having bribed certain civil servants.
The syndicate had been in operation between 2018 and last year, causing an estimated loss of tax revenue amounting to RM400 million.
MACC carried out investigations before executing special operations that began last week.
"The operation was conducted by the MACC's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) division in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) detained 11 individuals.
"They consist of civil servants, middlemen, and three company owners, two of whom hold the title of Datuk, aged in their 30s to 50s," said a source.
The source revealed that the MACC has so far frozen bank accounts involving 225 individuals identified as account mules and five company accounts totaling more than RM14 million across 18 banks.
Also, eight luxury vehicles valued at nearly RM6 million belonging to individuals believed to be associated with the tobacco, alcohol, and cigarette smuggling syndicate were also seized.