Bernama quoted a source as saying this was to ascertain the status of the tyres seized in simultaneous raids at 23 locations across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.

“Initial investigations found that the smuggled tyres consist of various categories, including new tyres that were not properly declared, and used tyres as well as retreaded tyres that did not meet safety standards,” the source said.

The source said the smuggling activities had been under close MACC surveillance for about six months before the large-scale operation was launched.

On Monday, MACC uncovered a tyre smuggling syndicate and forged import-export documents believed to have caused an estimated RM350 million in tax losses since 2020.

In simultaneous raids, MACC targeted tyre import companies, warehouses and storage containers, and froze private and company bank accounts totalling about RM70 million.

“The investigations found that the activities involved submitting inaccurate import documents, including false declarations of value, classification or quality certificates to reduce the amount of tax payable,” the source said.

No arrests have been made, and investigations are still focussed on tracing and seizing other assets suspected to have been obtained through money laundering activities.

MACC’s special operations division senior director Zamri Zainul Abidin said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.