Sarawak Customs Department Cracks Three Cases of Smuggled Liquor and Cigarettes, Seizes Items Worth Over 5.21 Million

(Kuching, 3rd) Sarawak Customs Department successfully cracked three cases involving smuggled cigarettes and liquor in three enforcement operations conducted at several locations in Kuching on the 24th of last month, with seized items valued at a total of 5,211,861.90 MYR.

According to a statement released by Sarawak Customs Department's Norijan Zahadin, at 9:20 in the morning that day, enforcement personnel found 69,461.82 liters of liquor in a warehouse in the Maura Tawan Light Industrial Zone, valued at approximately 1,136,993.22 MYR, with total duties around 1,282,350.41 MYR.

As for the second case, it was seized at a shop in the Kenyalang Commercial Center at 9:30 AM, where enforcement officials successfully recovered 508,000 cigarettes and 14,775.95 liters of liquor, with goods valued at about 617,935.10 MYR, and total duties approximately 855,798.65 MYR.

Additionally, a lorry parked outside the shop, suspected to be used for storing and transporting the aforementioned smuggled goods, was seized by enforcement personnel.

For the third case, 1,263,600 unstamped cigarettes and 475.20 liters of untaxed liquor were found at 10:15 AM in a warehouse at Mile 13 of Jalan Penrissen, with the goods valued at approximately 384,782.40 MYR, and total duties approximately 879,001.31 MYR.

The cases will be investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, and if convicted, offenders could face a fine not exceeding 500,000 MYR, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.

Sarawak Customs Department also encourages the public to actively provide information on any smuggling activities, to help combat the illegal smuggling of cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, and other prohibited items. The hotline number is 1-800-88-8855, or reports can be made at the nearest customs office. The department assures that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.