MIRI: The Customs Department here has confiscated 44,492 sticks of contraband cigarettes valued at RM4,166.24 with unpaid duties amounting to RM32,655.56 during a raid on Tuesday.
The department also detained two men, believed to be suspects, to assist in investigation into the case.
State Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said the 3.30pm raid, comprising eight enforcement officers, was conducted on a shophouse at Jalan Desa Indah 2, Bandar Baru Permyjaya.
The case will be investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession of goods not approved by Customs, she added.
Under the Act, the suspects, if found guilty, would be fined not less than 10 times the value of the illegal items or RM100,000 but not more than 20 times the amount of unpaid customs duties or RM500,000, or whichever is higher and/or jailed not more than five years or both.
After a further check, the raiding team found the contraband cigarettes of various brands being stored inside the premises.
Sharifah Halimah appealed to members of the public who have information on any activity involving the smuggling of contraband items such as cigarettes, alcohol, firecrackers and drugs into the state to inform the department.
