Customs Dept Baffled By Reports Of Wildlife Smugglers From Klia

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The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) is baffled by reports that traffickers from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) were caught with wildlife at Indian airports.
Indian customs officers reportedly foiled two attempts to smuggle infant primates last week, which were carried in suitcases by passengers travelling to the Mumbai airport on Feb 4 and Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) airport on Feb 8.
Mumbai authorities said they rescued siamang gibbons which were concealed in plastic containers within a suitcase, that was carried into the cabin by the passenger.
However, RMCD director-general Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin stressed that this is unlikely because her officers are using the latest scanners with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Royal Malaysian Customs Department director-general Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin“As it is, Customs only scans handheld or cabin baggage which weighs 7kg or less. We also use AI scanners which have a better detection system,” she told Malaysiakini.
Jurisdiction for scanning luggage
Anis was responding to questions following news reports in India on wildlife traffickers from Malaysia being caught by customs officers.
She said scanning check-in baggage is the responsibility of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) while wildlife aspects fall under the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan).
“Baggage handling services at KLIA are under MAHB jurisdiction. While wildlife is under Perhilitan. Please refer to both authorities. Please check with them,” she said.
In September 2024, RMCD started using 40 AI cabin baggage scanning machines worth RM40.72 million at the country’s main entry points to strengthen security controls.
Kuala Lumpur International AirportThey were installed across the country in May and June last year, bringing the total number of scanners at entry points throughout Malaysia to 66.
Customs claimed that since they used the new machines, they have detected several cases after officers analysed scanned images in June and August last year.
ADSSmuggling busts
The first was at KLIA’s Mail and Courier Centre involving the seizure of eight cases which contained cannabis and cannabis products worth RM577,625.20.
The department also foiled an attempt to bring in RM65,160 cash and 5.252kg of heroin, valued at RM492,375, through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex in Padang Besar, Perlis.
Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex in Padang Besar, PerlisRMCD is also in the process of gradually replacing obsolete scanners with new, more sophisticated, high-tech models.
The department also acquired body scanners utilising terahertz technology, which can detect items hidden on or inside passengers’ bodies, including explosives and weapons.
Anis said this allows for faster inspections, allowing passengers to pass through the machines at KLIA without pausing.
Stricter checks and sniffer dogs
When contacted, MAHB declined to comment on the latest cases in India.
It reiterated its 2023 statement stressing that it has stepped-up measures to combat wildlife trafficking through five-level screenings, and enhanced checks for targeted flights.
It added that it is guided by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) International Standards and Recommended Practices.
The MAHB also provided two sniffer dogs to Perhilitan to combat wildlife trafficking, it added.
Malaysia Airports Holdings BhdIt said MAHB has taken steps to address wildlife smuggling through cooperation with airlines and all relevant agencies.
“Capturing and prosecuting traffickers of illegal/illicit drugs and wildlife under the jurisdiction of existing relevant laws fall under the purview of other relevant agencies such as RMCD, Perhilitan, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services, and the Royal Malaysia Police.”
Smuggling route
The Port Blair flight used by the alleged primate traffickers was operated by AirAsia.
Malaysiakini has contacted the airline for comment.
The latest two cases are among a string of smuggling incidents involving passengers travelling from KLIA to Indian airports.
Last October, a Malaysian woman travelling from KLIA to Chennai was caught with gibbons and iguanas in her suitcases.
Smuggled gibbon seized by Chennai Customs in India, October 2024.Before that, Chennai Customs also intercepted attempts to smuggle e-cigarettes, gold, and iPhones worth RM520,000, as well as another case of wildlife smuggling involving about 5,000 tortoises carried in suitcases.
They were all carried by passengers travelling from KLIA.
The Chennai authorities did not specify if the cases involved handheld or checked-in luggage.
In December, a passenger travelling from KLIA to Port Blair was caught smuggling gold through a random baggage check. He was en route to Chennai via another flight. - Mkini

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