SARIKEI, Feb 23: The Customs Department seized contraband alcoholic beverages and cigarettes of various brands worth RM67,086.83 in two separate operations in Sarikei and Bintangor.
Sarawak Customs director, Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha, said the estimated duty and tax value of the loot was estimated at RM398,874.45.
“In two separate operation on Feb 22, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department enforcement division, Sarikei, has confiscated several brands of cigarettes believed to be uncustomed goods at a jetty in Sarikei.
“These cigarettes are believed to be for distribution around the Sarikei area by boat,” she told reporters today.
Sharifah Halimah said during the inspection, the Marine Unit of its Enforcement Branch found black boxes placed in the jetty to confuse the authorities and investigations revealed that the packages contained cigarettes believed to be for sale in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, in the second case, she said the Sarikei Customs enforcement team seized a number of liquor and cigarettes of various brands believed to have passed customs at a residential premise in Bintangor that was used as a storehouse to distribute liquor and cigarettes around Meradong.
She added that during the raid, a local man was arrested and taken to the Sarikei Customs office along with confiscated items for further investigation.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967, where a conviction for a first offence is punishable by not less than 10 times the value of the goods or one hundred thousand dollars whichever is higher. — DayakDaily
