KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has confiscated 980,400 smuggled cigarettes that were kept in an abandoned shop at Jalan Penrissen.
“A thorough inspection of the shop revealed that the cigarettes of various brands had not passed Customs for non-stamp tax.
“The value of the cigarettes amounted to RM88,236 and the total unpaid tax was RM655,887.60,” said state Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha, who revealed that the seizure was made last Sunday.
She said the abandoned shop was used as a store, and the cigarettes were believed to be for the local market.
The case is being investigated under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967 which provides for a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of unpaid Customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is greater. The fine must not exceed 20 times the value of the unpaid Customs duty or RM500,000, whichever is greater, or imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years, or both.
