SEREMBAN: The recent floods in Johor is believed to have destroyed large consignments of smuggled firecrackers and fireworks for the Chinese New Year market.
Customs director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid revealed that rural areas, especially Felda settlements in Johor, had always been hideouts to store the much sought after items.
The supply for the festive season this year, however, dwindled drastically after many Felda areas, especially those in Segamat, were badly hit by floods in December and January.
"We believe that the fireworks, smuggled from China, are usually stored in Johor’s rural areas before being distributed to other parts of the country.
"The ones that were stored were mostly destroyed in the recent floods," he said after leading the Ops Kongsi festive operation around town on Saturday night.
This was believed to be the reason why the department’s haul of the banned items for last year was reduced to RM6.5 million compared to RM11 million the previous year.
Abdul Rahman said smugglers preferred to store the items in rural areas in the belief that the authorities would not check these areas.
"Based on previous seizures, rural areas such as Segamat, have been the preferred choice as hideouts."
The department’s own operation to detect the banned items in conjunction with the festive season, where such items were always in high demand, began on Feb 5.
The public can do their part by contacting the department’s toll free number 1-800-88-8855, should they have any information on smuggling or sale of the items.
Customs director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid revealed that rural areas, especially Felda settlements in Johor, had always been hideouts to store the much sought after items.
The supply for the festive season this year, however, dwindled drastically after many Felda areas, especially those in Segamat, were badly hit by floods in December and January.
"We believe that the fireworks, smuggled from China, are usually stored in Johor’s rural areas before being distributed to other parts of the country.
"The ones that were stored were mostly destroyed in the recent floods," he said after leading the Ops Kongsi festive operation around town on Saturday night.
This was believed to be the reason why the department’s haul of the banned items for last year was reduced to RM6.5 million compared to RM11 million the previous year.
Abdul Rahman said smugglers preferred to store the items in rural areas in the belief that the authorities would not check these areas.
"Based on previous seizures, rural areas such as Segamat, have been the preferred choice as hideouts."
The department’s own operation to detect the banned items in conjunction with the festive season, where such items were always in high demand, began on Feb 5.
The public can do their part by contacting the department’s toll free number 1-800-88-8855, should they have any information on smuggling or sale of the items.
