BINTULU: The Sarawak Region 5 Marine Police Force (PPM W5) seized various types of untaxed liquor and cigarettes worth approximately RM4.54 million in an operation at a premise behind Nyigu Mini Market, Jalan Sungai Nyigu, here on Wednesday.
PPM W5 Commander, ACP Abdul Rahman Mat Hasan, said the raid was the result of intelligence and public information obtained under Ops Taring Landai.
“The results of the inspection by the Marine Intelligence Unit (URM) PPM W5 Bintulu team found that the premise was storing various types of liquor and cigarettes that were untaxed and did not have stamp stickers from the Royal Malaysian Customs,” he said in a media statement yesterday.
He said all the seized items were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Investigation Officer of the Bintulu District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further action under the Customs Act 1967.
According to Abdul Rahman, from January 1 to March 5 this year, PPM W5 conducted 43 raids throughout Sarawak and arrested 34 individuals for various smuggling-related offences.
“Among the offences detected included smuggling of unclassified goods, leakage of controlled and subsidized goods, as well as wildlife smuggling and offences under the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance.
“The total value of the seizures for this period is estimated to be RM35.5 million,” he said.
He called on the public to continue providing information to the authorities and help combat smuggling crimes comprehensively.
According to Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, individuals found possessing, storing or concealing unclassified goods can be fined not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisoned for up to five years or both if convicted.
