SIBU: The Customs Department seized contraband cigarettes and liquor worth RM4.2 million, including duties and taxes after raiding a double-storey house along Lorong Ulu Sungai Merah 46J here on Dec 17.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the operation, carried out by the Enforcement Division at about 4.25 pm, led to the seizure of 3.43 million sticks of cigarettes and 70,518.24 litres of untaxed liquor.
He said the premises was used as a storage location to avoid detection by enforcement authorities, following intelligence received from Customs headquarters.
“Customs officers seized 3,430,000 sticks of cigarettes and 70,518.24 litres of alcoholic beverages of various brands believed to be contraband under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
“The value of the seized items was estimated at RM731,809.44, while the duties and taxes involved amounted to RM3.47 million, bringing the total value to RM4.2 million,” he said in a statement today.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing or storing uncustomed or prohibited goods.
If convicted, offenders may be fined no less than 10 times the amount of customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and no more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or face imprisonment of between six months and five years, or both.
Norizan also urged the public to assist in combatting smuggling activities, including cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs and vehicles and assured that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
Members of the public with information may contact Customs via its toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or report to the nearest Customs office.
