KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Customs has once again dealt a blow to a liquor smuggling syndicate, seizing six containers filled with untaxed goods valued at over RM2.7 million, including duties and taxes.
The seizure, carried out by a raid team, occurred after the goods were suspected of being smuggled into the country through Sepanggar Port at around 9am on May 10.
Sabah Customs assistant director-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Deraman revealed that acting on received intelligence, the raid team inspected 20 containers. Out of these, six were found to contain liquor suspected of being smuggled into the country.
"The total volume of various brands of beer is estimated to be 149,925.6 litres. The estimated value of the goods is RM484,788, with estimated duties and taxes valued at RM2,264,476.40. The total estimated value is RM2,749,264.40," he said during a press conference at the Sepanggar Enforcement Office.
Mohd Nasir highlighted that investigations revealed the continued use of the same modus operandi by smugglers, involving false declarations and falsified information on documents before smuggling liquor into the state.
The declared goods included furniture, clothing, electrical appliances, hardware, and mixed items.
"Further investigation is ongoing under Section 52 and 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967. If convicted, offenders can face fines not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000, and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher. Offenders can also be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than five years, or both," he explained.
Mohd Nasir emphasised that smuggling activities not only result in revenue loss for the country but also pose a threat to national security and public welfare.
He urged the public to cooperate by providing information related to smuggling activities through the Customs Toll-Free Line 1-800-88-8855, assuring informants of confidentiality.