Central zone assistant director-general Norlela Ismail said the confiscation of the cars worth a total of RM27.4 million, including tax, was made after an inspection was carried out on 84 containers in the North Port Free Zone on June 25 and 27.

She said the containers originated from a country in East Asia and all the vehicles were bound for the local market.

“Further inspections also revealed that all the imported vehicles did not have approved permits (AP) issued by the investment, trade and industry ministry,” she said here today.

In a separate raid, the customs confiscated 6,500 live trees from a container at the same port on June 6, believed to be destined for the local landscaping market.

Norlela said none of the trees, including bonsai plants, worth RM325,000, which were declared as plastic landscape trees, had an import permit from the quarantine and inspection services department (Maqis).

She also said the customs seized four million cigarettes worth RM2.99 million and 381kg of shisha tobacco worth RM43,800 after inspecting two containers at the Westports free zone and the North Port free zone, respectively, on June 4 and 15.

The seized items were declared as wood marquetry, inlaid wood and loose goods to avoid detection.

In yet another case, the department seized 600 methamphetamine pills worth RM9,000 during an inspection of plastic packages at the KLIA mail and courier centre on July 16.

“An inspection revealed three packets of pills hidden in the folds of jeans in the courier package,” Norlela said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.