Selangor customs department director Azhar Ahmad Paharazi said checks revealed that the warehouse’s operating licence had expired, leading to the seizure of both the premises and the vehicles stored there.

“The seized vehicles include a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Mercedes-Benz S680 Maybach, Mercedes-Benz GLA35, Lexus RX300 and Toyota Harrier.

“These are reconditioned vehicles believed to have been imported from Asia and Europe, with an estimated total value of RM1.34 million and unpaid taxes exceeding RM2 million,” Bernama reported him as saying at the North Port customs department headquarters.

Azhar said investigations found the warehouse had been operating with an expired licence for the past five months.

“Vehicle warehouses are usually granted an operational licence valid for up to 48 months,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for knowingly protecting, storing, or concealing goods that are non-compliant or prohibited under customs regulations, which provides for up to five years’ imprisonment, or a fine of up to 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or both.

In another case, Azhar said the department also seized 1,314 litres of liquor worth RM268,189, including taxes, at the West Port Free Zone on Oct 6 for not having an import permit.

He said the consignment is believed to have been brought into Port Klang from a European country on Sept 14.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, which provides for the same penalty.