KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to smuggle liquor worth about RM350,000 on a lorry was foiled by the Customs department recently.
The department seized the liquor at Km 1, Jalan Lama Papar-Penampang, Kampung Novoung, about 11pm on June 12.
The untaxed liquor, believed to have been smuggled from Labuan to be sold in Kota Kinabalu, was worth RM347,223, including taxes and duties.
Assistant Sabah Customs director-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Deraman today said that acting on intelligence, the operations team intercepted a rigid lorry carrying 30 blue barrels.
He said there were 2,500 cartons of liquor hidden under the barrels.
The team detained the male lorry driver, 43, he added.
He said this at the Sepanggar Enforcement Complex here.
"The total seizure, including the lorry and liquor, is estimated at RM451,223, including duties and taxes."
Nasir said smuggling not only caused a loss of national revenue but also posed a threat to security and public welfare.
He said the public could provide information on smuggling via the Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855.