Smuggling syndicate busted by cops, RM200k worth of contraband seized

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Customs enforcement personnel seizing the items stored at the house.

KUCHING: An 18-member Royal Malaysian Customs Department enforcement team comprising personnel from Kuching, Sibu and Sarikei have foiled a syndicate smuggling alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and fireworks in Sibu recently.

The total worth of items seized, including the amount of unpaid duty fees, was estimated at RM200,203.92 and these comprised 8,164.76 litres of alcoholic drinks of various brands, 14,320 cigarette sticks of various brands and 998.25kg worth of fireworks.

Sarawak Customs director Dato Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said the department conducted the special operations on two premises in Permai Jaya, Sibu on Wednesday evening following a tip off on sales and storage of contraband alcoholic drinks and cigarettes there.

“Following the raids, a man was detained and items suspected to be contraband were seized. The total value and unpaid duty of items seized was RM200,203.92,” she said here.

She also mentioned the individual detained was suspected to have kept the items for customers at the premises. The individual was also suspected to have used the space above the premises and an unoccupied house as a store to keep the items.

The case will be investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. If convicted, the offender is liable to a fine of 10 times the total worth of items seized or RM100,000, or jail sentence of not less than six month and not more than five years, or both.

“Our department is calling on the public to cooperate with us by providing a tip-off on any suspected smuggling activities of items such as cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, drugs and fireworks by calling the Customs Toll Free Line 1-800-88-8855, lodging a report on our online public compaints site http://aduan.customs.gov.my or contacting the nearest Customs Office.

“We assure you that your identity will be kept confidential,” she said.