KUCHING: The enforcement division of the Sri Aman Customs Department had seized a container suspected of containing alcoholic beverages with no Customs clearance on Sep 19 at Jalan Fochow, Sri Aman after an inspection was carried out there.
“As a result, they found 1,326 cartons of beer stored inside the container and not far from it, a Toyota Unser carrying 61 cartons of beer was also found.
“The interior of the vehicle is believed to have been modified for use as a transporter around Sri Aman.
“In addition, a raid was also conducted on a residential premises where the team found another 65 cartons of beer and four boxes of whiskey.
“An inspection was also conducted at a liquor store where they found 111 cartons of liquor,” said state Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha in a statement yesterday.
During the separate raids, a total of 1,567 cartons of various brands of alcoholic drinks involving 12,658.95 litres of alcoholic beverages valued at RM71,433.21 with unpaid duties of RM191,019.02 were confiscated.
Apart from that, two individuals have been detained to assist in the investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of Customs Act 1967 for possessing forbidden goods/goods yet to be approved by Customs.
“If convicted, the suspects are liable to a fine of not less than 10 times and not more than 20 times the value of goods seized or imprisonment of up to five years or both,” she pointed out.
The Customs Department said it welcomes information from anyone on any party including traders who store or sell illegal cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers and drugs.
Those with information may contact the Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855 or visit their website at http://aduan.customs.gov.my.
