SIBU: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sibu has confiscated RM1.7 million worth of contraband cigarettes and liquor including illegal firecrackers at Sibu-Stapang road on Tuesday.
During the raid, conducted between 9.50pm and 10.30pm, the Customs Enforcement Division detained two separate trucks and seized the untaxed items at two separate locations.
State Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said that five individuals were also detained to assist in the investigation.
“The confiscation involved two cargo trucks with 1,486,360 sticks of cigarettes of various brands, 20,589.60 litres of liquor and 71.40kg of various types of firecrackers with an estimated value of RM368,514.37. The unpaid tax is RM1,340,719.83,” she added in a media statement yesterday.
The operation involved three teams from Sibu Customs Enforcement who conducted a roadblock following a tip-off received earlier.
“As a result of the investigation, the teams were able to find the cigarettes, hard drinks and firecrackers of various brands which were placed in the cargo area of the vehicle,” she said.
She added that the current smuggling tactics was to transport the items using a freight truck which carries consumable goods for distribution in the local market.
The case is being investigated under Section 135 (e) of the Customs Act 1967.
