Customs arrests two women, seizes contraband worth over RM12,000 in Miri

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Contraband cigarettes found inside a Proton Wira parked outside a premises in Tudan.

MIRI: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized contraband worth RM12,489.32 including tax and arrested two women during an ambush at a premises in Tudan, here, yesterday.

Sarawak Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha in a statement here today. said a team of personnel from the department’s Miri office ambushed the premises at around 11.30am.

“Upon checking on the premises, the team found an amount of cigarettes and liquor of various brands which are believed to be contraband.

“Further check also led to the discovery of more cigarettes inside a Proton Wira which was parked outside the premises,” she said.

A total of 15,214 sticks of cigarettes and 15 litres of liquor of various brands, worth RM6,121 believed to involve RM 12,489.32 in unpaid duties, were seized from the premises and car.

The Proton Wira was also seized.

Sharifah Halimah revealed that the contraband were meant to be sold for its customers here.

The case is being investigated under Section 135 of Customs Act 1967, and upon conviction,, the offender could be fined 10 times the value of the goods seized or a RM100,000-fine whichever is the higher, or a jail term not less than six months and not more than five years or both.

She also called on the public to cooperate with the Customs by providing information on any smuggling activities involving cigarettes, alcohol, fire crackers and drugs by calling their Customs toll free line 1-800-88-8855, or through their website under Public Complaints at http://aduan.customs.gov.my or call the nearest Customs office.

“Any information given will be kept in strict confidential and their identity will not be revealed,” she said.