Sibu Customs Seizes Contraband Cigarettes, Liquor In Raid

SIBU, March 4 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs), Sibu branch, has busted an operation involving the storage of non-duty-paid cigarettes and liquor, worth RM1.36 million, in a raid at a vacant house on Jalan Teku Lama, here, on Feb 10.

Sarawak Customs director, Datuk Norizan Yahya, said that the 9.20 am raid was carried out by the Land Operations Unit, Enforcement Division of Sibu Customs Department, following intelligence information from the Sarawak Intelligence Zone.

“Inspection found a total of 1.56 million sticks of cigarettes and 1,591.92 litres of liquor, suspected to be non-duty-paid, stored at the premises,” he said, at a press conference, here, today.

He said that the estimated value of the seized goods was RM243,551.52, while the import duty and tax involved amounted to RM1,112,773.27.

According to him, the syndicate’s modus operandi is believed to involve storing non-duty-paid cigarettes and liquor in vacant houses, to avoid detection by authorities.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, for possessing or storing non-duty-paid goods.

The public is urged to channel information related to smuggling activities through the toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855, or at any customs office.

-- BERNAMA