Sarawak customs seized 8.33 million cigarette sticks and 190 litres of liquor worth RM6.3 million including taxes in a Sibu raid
SIBU: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has confiscated 8.33 million sticks of untaxed cigarettes and 190.08 litres of duty-unpaid liquor during a raid on a Brooke Drive residence.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the Sibu enforcement branch’s land operations unit conducted the operation on October 10.
He revealed the seized goods had an estimated market value of RM750,840.
The total duties and taxes evaded amounted to approximately RM5,575,667.
This brings the combined seizure value including taxes to RM6,326,508.
“The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for storing or possessing prohibited goods without permission,” Norizan stated during a press conference.
Convicted offenders face severe penalties including fines between 10 times the customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, up to 20 times the goods’ value or RM500,000.
Offenders may also receive prison sentences ranging from six months to five years, or both fine and imprisonment.
The department encouraged public cooperation in reporting smuggling activities through their toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855.
Informants’ identities will remain strictly confidential according to customs officials. – Bernama
