LAHAD DATU: A total of 2,901 cell phones were seized by the Sabah Customs Department in a special statewide operation from January 5 to 10.
Sabah Customs deputy director of enforcement and compliance, Hamzah Sundang, said 126 premises were inspected and various brands of cell phones, believed imported from China and Singapore without permit from SIRIM Berhad as specified in the Second Schedule, Part 1, (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) Order 2008, Customs Act 1967, were seized.
Also confiscated were cell phones without the Sirim label or using dubious labels, he said at a press conference here yesterday.
The five-day operation involved 56 personnel from the enforcement and state internal tax branch.
Hamzah said those found in possession of these cell phones could be charged under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967 which provides a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, on conviction.
Meanwhile, the Customs Department here disposed of 12,000 boxes of firecrackers that were seized in 2011. They were worth RM42,428.58, including taxes.
A pump boat, a boat, a speedboat and nine outboard engines with 40hp to 200hp which were used to transport contraband were also destroyed.
Members of the public with information of any smuggling activity can contact the Customs Department at 1-800-88-8855.
Also present at the press conference were Customs senior assistant director of investigation and operation Madrim Tasan and district Customs chief Habib Mohd Fairus Mohd Yussof.