KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Sarawak has seized 129.8 million sticks of cigarettes so far this year, with unpaid duties and taxes estimated at RM7.3 million.
Sarawak Customs Department deputy director Abg Zamari Abg Nazarin said the figure reflected ongoing enforcement efforts to curb cigarette smuggling in the state.
He said from 2024 until Mar this year, total duties and taxes involved in cigarette seizure cases amounted to about RM96 million.
“So far this year, we have seized 129,817,968 sticks of cigarettes, involving duties and taxes estimated at about RM7.3 million. If we total figures from 2024 up to March this year, the duties involved amount to around RM96 million.
“This shows that our operations have managed to curb cigarette smuggling activities in Sarawak to some extent,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the “Sarawak’s Illicit Trade: Drivers, Risks & the Cost of Prohibition” programme organised by DayakDaily today (Apr 25).
Abg Zamari said smuggled cigarettes were believed to originate from neighbouring countries but declined to specify further.
He added that the contraband entered Sarawak through various routes, including land and sea, and was not limited to official entry points.
“There are many methods used. They disguise the items by mixing them with other goods,” he said.
On manpower, he said enforcement efforts would continue with available resources.
“We will use whatever manpower we have. It cannot be an excuse for us not to carry out our duties,” he said.
