BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Customs Department has dismantled a syndicate processing counterfeit liquor managed by Nepalese nationals.
State Customs Department Director Datuk Roselan Ramli said that officers raided a dilapidated wooden house in a forested area of Kampung Valdor, Sungai Jawi, at 11.20am on Sept 9.
The operation led to the seizure of 6,621 liquor bottles, along with empty bottles, bottle caps, various liquor label stickers, a glass bottle capping machine, and a roll of fake Customs duty stamps.
Authorities also discovered a modified drum used to store the counterfeit liquor.
The total value of the seized liquor is estimated at RM73,654.35, with a tax value of RM334,133.37.
However, what confounded the officers was the novel way the syndicate had guarded its operations.
"What is interesting is that this syndicate operates in a remote forested area, away from public view," Roselan said.
"They reared four ponds of frogs, which served as an early alert system during raids as well as for consumption purposes.
When our team approached, we had to pass through these ponds, and the frogs would croak loudly, warning the syndicate members and allowing them to escape."
Roselan said that the syndicate had been operating for at least three months, distributing their counterfeit liquor to unsuspecting sundry shops.
"We believe their fake liquor is already in the market. This counterfeit liquor is very dangerous, as we cannot determine its alcohol content or the substances used in its production. It is also difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake liquor, so we advise buyers to purchase only from Customs-licensed establishments," he added.
Initial checks revealed that the premises used by the Nepalese workers were unlicensed under Section 20(1) of the Excise Act 1976. Further investigations are ongoing.
The case is being probed under Section 74(1)(f) of the Excise Act 1976 and Section 6 of the Law Reform (Eradication of Illicit Samsu) Act 165.
"We have identified the owner of the premises, who is a local resident. We are currently tracking down the syndicate responsible for producing the counterfeit liquor," Roselan said.