Sarawak Customs seizes RM1.21 million in contraband cigarettes and liquor during four raids in Sibu, with unpaid duties exceeding RM850,000.
SIBU: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak seized contraband cigarettes and liquor worth RM1.21 million, including duties and taxes, in four separate raids in Sibu on June 5 and 6.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya (pic) said the seizures comprised 32,078.16 litres of liquor and 490,000 cigarettes, with the goods valued at RM362,183.52 and unpaid duties and taxes amounting to RM851,877.13.
He said the first raid, conducted at about 7.15 pm on June 5 at an unoccupied house in Lorong Lilin, uncovered 7,184.64 litres of liquor worth RM189,154.11, including duties and taxes.
“The second raid on the same day at about 8.30 pm in Lorong Quarry led to the seizure of 7,286.40 litres of liquor valued at RM189,655.88, including duties and taxes,” he told a press conference here today.
The third raid, carried out at about 1 am on June 6 at another unoccupied house in Lorong Rantau Panjang, uncovered 16,751.76 litres of liquor and 490,000 cigarettes, with the total seizure valued at RM812,986.71, including duties and taxes.
Norizan said the fourth raid, conducted at about 1.30 am in Lorong Ulu Sungai Merah, uncovered 855.36 litres of liquor valued at RM22,263.95, including duties and taxes.
He said all the goods were believed to have been imported in contravention of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023 and had been seized for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967.
According to him, the syndicate was believed to have used residential houses as storage facilities before distributing the contraband to the local market.
“All four cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967,” he said.
He urged the public to report smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, assuring that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
