SRI AMAN: The Customs Department seized 25,103.04 litres of contraband alcohol in raids on two separate locations here.
Its director Herman Shah Abdullah said the ‘Ops Cilis’ raids took place around 11.05am last Friday in Jalan Hollis, Sri Jaya Park and Jalan Keja, Kampung Sri Wangi.
The operations involved personnel from Kuching Customs and the Royal Malaysian Police Force’s (PDRM) E5 Special Branch.
Various duty-not-paid alcoholic beverages were found in a locked shop lot as well as in several rooms of a house.
“All the beverages are newly-arrived supply in view of the coming Chinese New Year celebration in Sri Aman.
“The beverages were kept inside the premises and they (premises) are used as storage to fool the authorities,” he said.
Herman revealed that the value of the seizures was estimated to be RM271,967.84 and its estimated tax and duties, RM402,535.15.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing duty-not-paid goods.
If convicted, the individual can be fined not less than 10 times the amount of customs duty or RM100,000, according to any greater amount, and not more than 20 times the value of the amount of customs duty or RM500,000, according to any greater amount, or imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years, or both.
The public have been urged to assist the department in the fight against smuggling activities while also advised against engaging in them.
“Smuggling not only harms the country in terms of revenue lost, but also poses a threat to national security and the wellbeing of the people.”
