‘Ghost Smoke’ candy seized in Sabah, Johor
KOTA KINABALU: Authorities in Sabah and Johor have seized more than 300 packets of the vape-like “Ghost Smoke” candy.
Sabah director of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry Georgie Abas said they found 224 packets of the candy worth RM122 at one of the premises in Petagas near here.
“We found that the main supplier was from the peninsula. We started a crackdown on ‘Ghost Smoke’ candy on Tuesday and have so far inspected 125 premises,” he said.
Georgie said the seizure on Wednesday was the first made from all the raids.
In Johor Baru, state authorities seized 150 packets of the candy when they raided one of the premises in Masai on Wednesday.
It was the first seizure in Johor and the items seized were worth RM37.50, said state director Mohd Hairul Anuar Bohro.
“We are targeting wholesalers in the state, especially those who sell confectionery near schools.
“We believe retailers have stopped selling this product after news about it went viral on social media,” he said, adding that they started operations on Tuesday and had checked 132 premises in the state.
Speaking at his office yesterday, Mohd Hairul said initial investigations found the details on the product label to be suspicious.
“The product has a halal logo that is not approved by Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department), aside from a few other labels that we are still investigating.
“We will continue our crackdown on traders who are still selling this brand of candy,” he said.
The case is investigated under Section 5 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011. Consumers are urged to provide information if they know of anyone selling the brand.
Those caught selling the candies could be fined RM100,000 or jailed up to three years or both for an individual, whereas a company could be fined up to RM250,000 or jailed five years or both.
Source: TheStar
