KUCHING: The Customs Department thwarted an attempt to smuggle cigarettes and alcoholic beverages disguised as frozen shrimp products on Oct 22.
The smuggler was detected making a false declaration upon arrival at the port. However, members of the customs marine unit noticed suspicious activity and followed the truck as it left the port's transit warehouse.
The truck was intercepted on the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway at around 2pm last Tuesday.
JKDM Sarawak director Norizan Yahya said an inspection was conducted to identify the truck's actual cargo.
"Upon opening the cargo area, JKDM discovered a large quantity of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages concealed within the truck's frozen cargo.
"Further inspection revealed that the truck was carrying 3.4 million cigarettes of various brands and 2,376 litres of uncustomed alcoholic beverages," he said.
He made this statement at a press conference at the JKDM Enforcement Division Store in Sejingkat Industrial Park today.
Norizan said the seized cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are estimated to be worth RM2.4 million, including taxes, and the truck itself, valued at RM70,000, was also confiscated, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM3.15 million.
"A male driver in his 40s has been arrested to assist in the investigation under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
"If convicted, the offender could be fined up to RM500,000 or imprisoned for up to five years, or both," he said.
Norizan added that JKDM is actively tracking down the owner of the goods, which are believed to have been intended for shipment outside Kuching.
"All seized goods originated from a neighbouring country, with Kuching being used as a transit point before being sent to other locations in Sarawak," he said.