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Malaysia customs seizes $12.1 million in AI chips at KL airport
Malaysian customs said it seized about 49.5 million ringgit ($12.11 million) in advanced AI chips this month at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, linking the find to a suspected smuggling syndicate.
- Techmeme and SCMP are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Malaysia customs seizes $12.1 million in advanced AI chips at KL airport”
- Our desk updated its story
Based on reporting by SCMP and CNA
Wire reporting: (Reuters, via SCMP)
Malaysian customs said Wednesday it had seized about 49.5 million ringgit (about $12.11 million) worth of advanced artificial intelligence chips this month, according to Channel News Asia and the South China Morning Post, both carrying a Reuters report of a briefing in Sepang3,4.
Airport customs director Aspalila Ag Tuah told reporters that on Oct. 15 authorities found 30 server units containing advanced AI chips during an inspection at Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s free trade zone3,4.
CNA quoted Aspalila saying the servers were “falsely declared as electronic components.” Customs said initial findings were that the shipment originated in an Asian country and was meant to be re-exported to another Asian nation, a move that required a trade permit4.
Malaysia imposed export controls last year on advanced AI chips of U.S. origin after U.S. pressure to limit their flow into China, the same accounts said3,4.
A Malaysian firm that facilitated the shipment has been asked to assist. Customs linked the case to a network tied to a similar attempt stopped in June, with at least five cases and seizures worth more than 100 million ringgit; further details were withheld because of an ongoing probe4.
Sources
- TechmemeMalaysia says it seized ~$12.11M worth of AI chips this month, as authorities close in on a syndicate suspected of smuggling through the country's main airport (Rozanna Latiff/Reuters)
- ReutersAI chips worth $12.1 million seized at Malaysia airport, customs authority says
- (Reuters, via SCMP)Malaysia seizes smuggled AI chips worth US$12 million at Kuala Lumpur airportAlso (Reuters, via CNA)
How it’s being reported
2 sourcesFirst reported by Reuters
Malaysia says it seized ~$12.11M worth of AI chips this month, as authorities close in on a syndicate suspected of smuggling through the country's main airport (Rozanna Latiff/Reuters)
The dollar value of the seizure and a suspected syndicate using the main airport.
Techmeme roundup pointing to the Reuters report on the Malaysian customs seizure.
Leaves out Operational detail from the customs briefing.
AI chips worth $12.1 million seized at Malaysia airport, customs authority says
Leads with what someone said.
Same copy also at: (Reuters, via SCMP) · (Reuters, via CNA)
Where they agree
- Customs announced a roughly 49.5 million ringgit seizure of advanced AI chips this month at KLIA.
- Thirty server units were found Oct. 15 in the airport free trade zone.
- Authorities link the shipment to a syndicate and earlier cases totaling more than 100 million ringgit.