ALOR STAR: Kedah Customs Department seized RM52,000 worth of smuggled liquor with unpaid tax amounting to RM192,433 at four locations in Ipoh, Perak.
Its director Datuk Johari Alifiah said the department also detained four men, in their 40s, in the operation held from 7.45pm to 9pm on Nov 29.
He said the first raid was conducted at an industrial area in Menglembu where the team found 150 cartons of liquor in a lorry.
“We arrested a man there and following that, we picked-up three others in nearby area and seized 250 cartons of liquor also in a lorry.
“Based on information we received from the men, we identified two vacant houses used as storage facilities for the smuggled items,” he said today.
Johari said 180 cartons of liquor were seized at a house in Taman Rasi Jaya and 225 cartons found at another house in Taman Pengkalan.
“Based on our investigation, the smuggling activity was carried out on seasonal basis. We are investigating the case under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967," he said.
If found guilty, the four men can be fined a maximum of 20 times the value of the smuggled items, or face three years imprisonment, or both.