Ops Grip: MACC Exposes Fake Labels, Erased Barcodes and Smuggled Tyres

The latest probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the tyre industry uncovered widespread malpractice. It includes falsified labels, erased barcodes and smuggled imports sold through unauthorised distributors.

The operation, codenamed Ops Grip, followed a series of raids on Sept 29 involving warehouses and containers linked to two companies. A total of 17,672 tyres were seized during the crackdown.

Malay Mail reported that the seized stock was inspected by representatives from major brands such as Toyo Tires, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, Dunlop and Maxxis, together with officials from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) and SIRIM.

The inspection was carried out to confirm authenticity, check compliance with safety standards and identify tyres sold outside authorised channels. Early findings pointed to organised efforts to tamper with identification markings and circulate counterfeit or unapproved tyres that could endanger consumers.

Authorities have frozen several company and personal accounts worth about RM70 million and seized assets suspected to be linked to money laundering. These include six warehouse plots valued at RM4.5 million, several residential units and a four-storey shop lot, bringing the total value of frozen assets to around RM82.5 million.

MACC Senior Operations Director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the ongoing investigation, which is being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The raids also exposed large-scale falsification of import and export documents. Authorities believe the scheme has cost the government an estimated RM350 million in lost tax revenue since 2020, with activities traced to 23 sites across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.

PIC: Sinar Harian