In a Bernama report, Azam said 34 customs officers were detained from March 11-25 after they were suspected of receiving more than RM4.7 million in bribes.

The syndicate was believed to be involved in smuggling tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, health products and vehicle spare parts at the terminal.

Azam said the syndicate bribed customs officers to allow undeclared imports and goods to enter the country without inspection.

Azam told a press conference that 27 people and company owners had also been arrested for protecting and facilitating the syndicate’s operations.

Azam said 231 bank accounts had been frozen as part of the anti-graft agency’s probe into the syndicate. He said the bank accounts, which include mule accounts, contain more than RM17 million.

The suspects were detained following a special operation conducted by MACC’s anti-money laundering division, the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Bank Negara Malaysia.

Several houses, luxury cars, handphones, laptops, computers and cash were seized during the special operation.

Azam said the syndicate was also found to be involved in money laundering, online gambling, money changing, money lending and prostitution.

“A total of 19 ‘ghost companies’ involving various types of businesses were (established) to confuse the authorities, especially LHDN,” he said.

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