Kelantan Customs Busts Syndicate Smuggling Luxury Cars from Singapore

An international car smuggling syndicate moving luxury vehicles from Singapore into Malaysia has been taken down by the Kelantan’s Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) following a special operation in Johor Bahru. The group had been attracting buyers by offering high-end cars at discounts of up to 40% below market prices.

JKDM Kelantan Director, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said the bust came after a month of surveillance, with raids carried out between May 18 and 24. The operation led to the seizure of nine luxury cars valued at RM1.46 million, with an estimated RM2.75 million in evaded taxes.

The haul included a Porsche Panamera, various Mercedes-Benz and BMW models, an Audi A5 and a Jaguar, all more than five years old. According to Wan Jamal, the syndicate’s modus operandi was to place the vehicles in parking lots around Johor Bahru before arranging sales to Malaysian buyers from across the country.

Early investigations suggest the operation was run by both Malaysians and Singaporeans. Their target market was locals eager to flaunt luxury cars without paying the true cost. Some vehicles were offered for as little as RM10,000, making them a tempting bait despite the clear legal risks.

The vehicles fall under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, making their import without approval illegal. Offenders face severe penalties under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, including fines of at least 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000, whichever is higher. Maximum penalties reach 20 times the value or RM500,000, along with possible prison sentences of up to five years.

Wan Jamal warned that buyers are not exempt from the law. Those who purchase smuggled cars can also face prosecution and risk having their vehicles seized. He added that seven more cars tied to the same syndicate have been identified, with details to be revealed once investigations conclude.

This latest success adds to a string of enforcement results for JKDM Kelantan. Between Jan and Aug, the department recorded 958 cases involving contraband worth RM50.29 million, with RM15.82 million in taxes avoided. 

Officials stressed that smuggling not only robs the nation of revenue but also carries broader risks to public safety, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance.

Source: Sinar Harian