KOTA KINABALU: About 10,560 packets of contraband cigarettes worth RM232,320 were found in the ceiling of an abandoned shop by the Customs Department here during a raid at Sinsuran complex on Wednesday.
State Customs Department director, Datuk Janathan Kandok, said the discovery was made at around 10 am after more than four hours of surveillance at the said location.
“Acting on a tip-off, Customs personnel immediately carried out surveillance at the said location. After waiting for four hours, our personnel then entered the premises but did not find any suspicious items. Further inspection however led to the discovery of about 10,560 packets of contraband cigarettes of numerous brands hidden in the ceiling,” he told a press conference at the State Customs headquarters, here yesterday.
Janathan said investigation showed that the seized items was valued at RM232,320 after tax.
“Although we did not make any arrest, we believe we can identify the owner of the premises and we will follow up on the investigation,” he said, adding that the contraband items were believed smuggled from a neighbouring country and would be sold around the state.
He said the case would be investigated under Section 135 (d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a fine of not more than 10 times the value of the seized items or jailed up to three years, if convicted.