By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, March 26: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak has successfully crippled a major cigarette smuggling syndicate, seizing various brands of ‘kretek’ (clove-flavoured Indonesian) cigarettes worth over RM12.64 million, inclusive of unpaid duties and taxes.
According to JKDM Sarawak director Norizan Yahya, the operation, carried out around 9.30am, led to the confiscation of 16,656,000 sticks of kretek cigarettes of various brands and the arrest of a 44-year-old local man to assist in investigations.
The seizure also included a Toyota lorry, estimated to be worth RM80,000, believed to have been used to transport the illicit cigarettes.
The estimated value of the seized cigarettes was RM1.499 million, with evaded duties and taxes amounting to RM11.142 million.
“This is among the biggest cases we’ve handled,” Norizan said at a press conference today at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department in Petra Jaya here, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the smuggling network.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 74(1)(a) of the Excise Act 1976.
Norizan further stated that the cigarettes were intended for distribution in Kuching and nearby districts.
He said the modus operandi involved storing the contraband in remote locations before distributing it to the local market.
Investigations revealed that the goods were smuggled in through various sea entry points, including Senari Port and Pending Port, and were sometimes concealed under false declarations such as textiles.
Norizan urged the public to continue assisting authorities in combating smuggling activities, especially involving cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, and vehicles.
“Smuggling not only causes national revenue losses but also poses threats to security and public wellbeing,” he said, adding that public tip-offs can be made via the Customs toll-free hotline 1-800-88-8855.
He also assured that informants’ identities will be kept strictly confidential. — DayakDaily
