BY JACINTHA JOLENE & GILLIAN NESLYN
KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department confiscated untaxed cigarettes and liquor valued at RM1,626,379.58 in three separate enforcement cases conducted in February.
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya revealed that the seizures were made during operations carried out by the department’s Enforcement Unit under the Kuching Land Operations Division.
In the first case, on Feb 25 at around 9 am, officers raided a premises at Batu 9, Jalan Penrissen and found 120,740 sticks of white and clove-laced (kretek) cigarettes of various brands without tax stamps, along with 6,826.27 litres of liquor suspected to be uncustomed goods.
“This premises was used for storing and selling contraband cigarettes and liquor. One local man was arrested in connection with the case, which is still under investigation,” Norizan said at a press conference held at Wisma Kastam today.
In the second raid, carried out about 45 minutes later, Customs officers uncovered 2,776.25 litres of suspected uncustomed liquor at a premises in Batu Kawa New Township.
“The liquor was seized for suspected violation of Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967,” he added, noting that the premises was being used solely for storage and sale of illicit liquor.
The third case, conducted at around 10.45 am, led to the discovery of 331,520 sticks of white and clove-laced cigarettes and 13,681.92 litres of untaxed liquor at a premises in Taman Malihah.
A local man was also arrested in connection with this case, which, like the others, is under active investigation. According to Norizan, the premises was used as a storage, distribution, and sales hub for uncustomed goods.
All three cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a penalty of a fine between RM100,000 and RM500,000, imprisonment of six months to five years, or both upon conviction.
Norizan urged the public to cooperate in curbing smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles, and other contraband.
“Smuggling not only leads to significant revenue loss for the nation, but it also poses risks to national security and public health,” he said.
He encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to the Customs Department via the toll-free hotline 1-800-88-8855 or by contacting the nearest Customs office. All informants’ identities will be kept strictly confidential.
