Customs Seize Over 450,000 Ringgit Worth of Untaxed Cigarettes and Alcohol in Sarawak Smuggling Bust

(Lao Yue, 24th) The Sarawak Customs Department continues to strengthen border enforcement and has successfully seized a large batch of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol along the Kampung Surabaya riverbank. The estimated total value, including duties and taxes, is RM452,233.14.
According to a statement released today by Sarawak Customs director Dato' Haji Norazan Yahaya, the operation was carried out based on intelligence from the Sarawak Regional Intelligence Center. On October 30, a joint operation was launched, involving both land and maritime task forces, which led to the discovery of a large quantity of suspected smuggled goods along the village riverbank.

During the operation, the Customs Department seized two types of untaxed goods: cigarettes and various alcoholic beverages. Their values, duties, and total worth are as follows. Firstly, the cigarettes amounted to 555,000 sticks, with a market value of RM47,400. The estimated duties and taxes involved totaled RM371,040, bringing the overall value (including taxes) of the cigarettes to RM418,440.

Secondly, for alcoholic beverages, the total volume was 1,552.32 liters, with a market value of RM6,272. The related duties and taxes were RM27,521.14, bringing the total value (including taxes) of the alcohol to RM33,793.14.
Combined, the total market value of the confiscated untaxed cigarettes and alcoholic beverages in this operation was RM53,672. The total duties and taxes involved amounted to RM398,561.14. After overall calculation, the total value of all seized goods (including taxes) was RM452,233.14.

The Customs stated that the case is still under investigation. Preliminary findings reveal that smugglers used small river tributary networks to quietly transfer untaxed goods to riverbank areas by water.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which pertains to storing or possessing any untaxed or prohibited imported goods. Upon conviction, offenders face a minimum fine of 10 times the customs duty or RM100,000 (whichever is higher), up to a maximum fine of 20 times the value or RM500,000 (whichever is higher), and imprisonment for 6 months to 5 years or more, plus fines.

The Customs Department emphasised that smuggling activities involving cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, drugs, and vehicles not only result in loss of national revenue but also threaten national security and social harmony.
Authorities urge the public to actively help combat smuggling and may provide information via the toll-free Customs hotline: 1-800-88-8855 or contact the nearest Customs office. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.