SEPANG: The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Customs Department foiled two major smuggling attempts involving cannabis and liquor worth more than RM3.82 million last month.

KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad in a statement today said the first case involving a drug seizure, had taken place on July 18 when a commercial van was stopped at the KLIA Free Commercial Zone export inspection bay.

"The van was supposedly carrying 'consolidated cargo' which was bound for a European country.

"Upon inspection, we discovered that it was carrying nine falsely declared boxes containing 21.22kg of cannabis. The drugs are estimated to be worth more than RM1.8 million," Zulkifli said.

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Zulkifli said the drugs were hidden in airtight plastic packets inside snack and tea packages.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and at least 12 strokes of the cane, if found guilty.

Meanwhile in an earlier case on July 10, acting on a tip-off and close surveillance, officers raided a business premises in Puchong where they discovered 50,738.40 litres of beer without excise stamps.

" The beers of various brands were without the excise stamps at a factory premise used as a store. The total value of the seizure was worth more than RM2.03 million, which including unpaid duties and taxes," Zulkifli said.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries fines of up to 20 times the value of the goods or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

"Smuggling not only causes revenue losses to the country, it also threatens national security and public safety.

" We urge the public to assist us in combating such crimes," Zulkifli said, adding that any suspicious information can be channelled to the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855.