LAWAS: A covert smuggling run in Kampung Surabaya at Jalan Merapok was cut short when Customs officers uncovered a hidden cache of duty-not-paid cigarettes and beers worth more than RM450,000.
The stash, left unattended by the riverbank, was discovered on Oct 30 by officers from the Sarawak Customs Land and Marine Operation units following intelligence gathered by the Sarawak Intelligence Centre.
A total of 555,000 sticks of cigarettes and 1,552.32 litres of assorted beer were recovered.
The goods themselves are valued at RM53,672, while its unpaid duties and taxes come to RM398,561.14, bringing the overall seizure value to RM452,233.14.
Sarawak Customs Department director Datuk Norizan Yahya said smugglers were believed to have used a network of small tributaries to move the contraband into the area.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for storing or possessing dutiable or prohibited imported goods.
Offenders may face fines up to 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or imprisonment up to five years, or both.
Norizan urged the public to play their part in curbing smuggling involving cigarettes, beers, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other prohibited goods.
Smuggling not only causes significant revenue loss to the country, but also poses threats to national security and public safety.
Meanwhile, the public with information on smuggling activities can report them to the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or reach out to the nearest Customs office.
