SIBU: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak has seized undeclared cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, including unpaid duties and taxes, worth about RM1.3 million.
JKDM Sarawak Director, Norizan Yahya, said the smuggling activity was uncovered by the department’s enforcement team in Sibu, leading to the seizure of approximately 1,560,000 sticks of cigarettes and 1,591.92 litres of alcoholic beverages.
He said the raid was carried out on February 10 at 9.20 am following information received by the enforcement team, who raided a vacant house at Jalan Teku Lama.
“The raiding team discovered the undeclared cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, which are suspected to be prohibited items under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
“The estimated value of the seized cigarettes and alcoholic beverages is RM243,551.52, while the total import duty and taxes involved are estimated at RM1,112,773.27.
“All the items were seized for further investigation,” he said during a press conference in Sibu.
Norizan added that the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
If convicted, the court may impose a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher.
The offender may also face imprisonment of between six months and five years, or both.
The public is urged to assist JKDM in combating smuggling activities, particularly involving cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other goods, and is advised not to get involved in such activities.
JKDM also calls on the public to cooperate by channelling information on any smuggling activities through the Customs Toll-Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office nationwide.
