KUANTAN: A man from Pakistan and two Myanmar nationals were arrested by the Customs Department for selling contraband cigarettes and illegal alcohol drinks at the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project site near here early this month.
Their illicit operations came to light when a team from the department raided their makeshift cabin around 6pm on May 10 and seized contraband cigarettes, liquor bottles, and beer cans worth RM70,000, including taxes.
State Customs director Mohd Asri Seman said the trio, in their 20s, were believed to be selling liquor and various brands of cigarettes to foreign workers living in the vicinity, including those working at the ECRL site.
"The makeshift cabin was opened to sell grocery items including fresh vegetables to the workers before the suspects decided to venture into selling liquor, beer and cigarettes.
"The Pakistan national had a valid working permit while the two others did not have any documents with them.
"Our enforcement team found liquor, beer and cigarettes of various types, including some imported brands worth RM69,612 arranged in boxes at the premises. We are tracking down if a local owned the cabin or was behind the illegal activities," he told reporters during a press conference at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Customs complex here today.
He said the three suspects were investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession or selling of smuggled cigarettes, and Section 74(1)(c) of the Excise Act 1976.
Meanwhile, Asri said in a separate incident, the department seized contraband cigarettes worth RM791,120 with taxes during a raid at an unoccupied house in Kluang, Johor on May 4.
He said the department was in the process of tracking down the premises owner to assist investigations.
Asri said that between January and May this year, the department's enforcement branch seized various types of goods including cigarettes, alcohol drinks and firecrackers, worth about RM6 million including tax.
"These cases led to the opening of 66 investigation papers and arrest of 25 people for further investigations," he said.