By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Police have seized a massive RM26.6 million worth of contraband beer and heavy equipment in one of Sarawak’s biggest smuggling busts.
The multi-million-ringgit haul was uncovered during an inter-agency sting code-named ‘Op Taring Alpha 2’ at a premises in Kuching on July 3.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director CP Dato’ Sri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said Bukit Aman’s elite Wildlife Crime Bureau led the 2.15 pm raid. The team was assisted by Padawan district police and the Padawan Municipal Council.
“Three Indonesian men, all aged around 35, were arrested during the operation,” Mohd Yusri said in a statement.
A raid on the premises uncovered tens of thousands of uncustomed ‘1602 Life Beer’ cartons alongside shipping containers and machinery.
The smaller 330ml stock comprised 39,196 cartons of Smooth Lager, 20,788 cartons of Pure Lager, 3,210 cartons of Pale Ale, 442 cartons of Golden Lager, and 2,890 cartons of Lager Fresh.
Larger 630ml variations were also seized, consisting of 1,581 cartons of standard Lager, 464 cartons of Extra Dark, and 901 cartons of Pale Ale.
Police also confiscated three shipping containers loaded with contraband. A blue container on a semi-trailer held 2,295 cartons of Smooth Lager, while a second blue container held 2,300 cartons of Pure Lager. A green container holding another 2,300 cartons of Pure Lager and two Toyota forklifts were also seized.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing uncustomed goods. First-time offenders face heavy fines up to RM500,000, a maximum five-year jail term, or both.
Mohd Yusri warned that these syndicates cause severe national revenue leakage and act as catalysts for cross-border crime. He stressed that police will not compromise on smuggling or the misappropriation of subsidised goods.
Nationwide, Bukit Aman’s enforcement unit has conducted 199 raids between Jan 1 and July 4 this year, arresting 374 individuals and seizing goods worth RM258.5 million. — DayakDaily
