SIBU: The Sarawak Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle RM17.477 million worth of items including tax brought in here using a tugboat and barge on 5 September.
Seven crew members all Indonesian were also detained.
Director-General of Customs Department Malaysia Dato’ Sri Subromaniam Tholasy said a team from the Sarawak Customs Department through a combination of land and sea operations seized the suspected smuggled goods at a private jetty in Salim-Stabau Road here.
“The team detained a tugboat and barge which were bringing in 45 containers filled with smuggled goods at a private jetty in Salim-Stabau Road, Sibu. The goods inside the containers have not received approval from the Customs Department.
“44 of the containers were filled up with 76,250 cartons (734,791.20 litres) of beer of various brands valued at RM2.42 million and tax of RM11.27 million.
“One container was filled up with 21,250 cartons of cigarettes worth RM340,000 and tax of RM3.10 million. Apart from that, the Customs team also seized 403 cartons of wine with a total value and tax of RM346,956.71 in a warehouse near the private jetty.
“The goods have been confiscated under Section 114 of the Customs Act, 1967 on suspicion of committing an offence under Section 135 (1) of the same Act,” Dato’ Sri Subromaniam said at a press conference held at Malaysian Customs Department office here, yesterday.
According to him, a tugboat and barge registered in Malaysia have also been detained and seven Indonesian crew members are being remanded to assist in the investigation.
“A local man is also being investigated for the seizure in the warehouse,” he added.
From initial investigation of the case, Subromaniam said the goods were brought in from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“The case is being investigated under Section 135 (1) (a) of Customs Act, 1967 for importing prohibited goods without valid permits and Section 135 (1) (d) for in possession of prohibited goods and the goods have not yet received Customs’ approval.
“If convicted, the offenders are liable to a fine of not less than 10 times and not more than 20 times the value of goods or imprisonment of up to three years or both.
“Meanwhile, for the second offence and so on, the offenders are liable to a fine of 20 times and not more than 40 times the value of goods or imprisonment of up to five years of both upon conviction,” he said.
Subromaniam also pointed out that the Malaysian Customs Department is committed to eradicate smuggling activities and will take stern actions against those involved.
Also present was Director of Sarawak Customs Department Dato’ Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha.
