RM10mil in Duty Evasion Found After 28 Luxury Cars Seized

Malaysian authorities have launched a major operation against duty evasion, seizing 28 luxury vehicles worth approximately RM10 million in combined duty. The operation, led by the Customs Department, targeted several locations in Perak and Selangor, highlighting a sophisticated attempt to circumvent national tax regulations.
Through an operation that took place in January and February, 12 locations in Perak and Selangor were raided by Customs officials, who found a cache of high-end cars that had slipped through the cracks.
At a press conference, Perak director Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mohamad revealed that luxury brands like Porsche, Mercedes, and Lexus were among the seized cars, some of which were discovered in authorized warehouses. This operation demonstrates the department's commitment to enforcing tax laws and deals a serious blow to attempts to evade the legal importation process.

11 individuals, most of whom were in their 40s and 50s, were detained after the raids on suspicion of being the owners of the vehicles and related businesses. They are helping with the ongoing investigation at the moment.

The operation is being investigated under several sections of the Customs Act 1967, emphasizing the serious repercussions of duty evasion. Potential penalties include fines of up to 20 times the excise value or imprisonment.