ISKANDAR PUTERI, Feb. 17 -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department foiled attempts to smuggle in 76.4 million sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM65.4 million in two separate raids at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas here recently.

Customs director-general Datuk Paddy Abd Halim said the combined seizures were the largest by the department so far this year.

He said the first case involved a raid by the Gelang Patah Customs Enforcement branch at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas here on January 28.

"A container measuring 12.19 metres was inspected at 4pm after it was marked as wooden furniture in the bill of lading and also the cargo manifest.

"The item's country of origin was also marked as China.

"According to information from the Southern ...