Customs foils RM590,000 smuggling bids
by Elton Gomes. Posted on January 27, 2012, Friday
KOTA KINABALU: The State Customs Department has seized numerous subsidied and controlled items worth more than RM590,000 during a three-week operation in three east coast districts last week.
Deputy director of Customs (Enforcement and Compliance) Hamzah Sundang said the goods were believed to be smuggled out to the neighbouring countries.
“The operations were carried out by the Customs Marine task force over a span of 10 days, beginning Jan 12 to Jan 22 around the East Coast of Sabah, namely Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna,” he said at a press conference at the Royal Malaysian Customs office here yesterday.
Among the items seized during the three operations were cigarettes, fireworks, petrol and diesel, as well as controlled goods such as frozen meat, cooking oil, flour and sugar.
He said initial investigations showed the contraband cigarettes were believed to have been smuggled from the neighbouring countries for illegal market traders.
Hamzah said the value of the seized cigarettes in Lahad Datu was estimated at RM148,000, with tax valued nearing RM185,456.
Three foreigners, aged 22 to 30, were also detained for alleged involvement in the smuggling activities, said Hamzah.
“Our personnel also seized three boats which were used by the suspects in their operation,” he said, adding that the success in curbing the illegal activities was attributed to the efforts taken by Customs enforcement personnel along the coastal waters of Semporna and Tawau.
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