ALOR STAR: The Customs Department seized 7,000 litres of untaxed liquor and one million untaxed cigarettes, valued at over RM350,000, during a raid on an unmarked premise in the Klang Valley on Aug 29.
The operation, conducted by the Bukit Kayu Hitam Enforcement Branch at 1.05am, uncovered goods with unpaid duties and taxes amounting to over RM1 million.
Kedah Customs director Nor Izah Abd Latiff said that no arrests were made as the premises were unoccupied and unlocked during the raid.
"The seized items, valued at RM353,284, with estimated unpaid duties and taxes of RM1,048,134.41, have been moved to the Bukit Kayu Hitam Enforcement Office for further action," she said.
The premises was used as a storage facility, likely for goods in transit before local distribution.
The case is under investigation according to Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which could result in a fine of at least 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000, whichever is higher, up to 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
In a separate operation on Sept 2, the department confiscated 5,476 bottles of liquor worth RM161,474 from a premise in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
A foreign national in his 40s was detained during the 10pm raid.
The liquor, totaling 2,120.60 litres, involved estimated unpaid duties and taxes of RM285,676.
"The liquor had suspicious tax stamps, suspected to be counterfeit. The goods have been taken to the Alor Star Enforcement Office for further investigation," Izah said.
The foreign worker was employed at the premises, and efforts are ongoing to locate the owner.
The counterfeit stamps were intended to deceive consumers into believing the liquor was properly taxed.
This case is also being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act.