Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Customs confiscated contraband beer and cigarettes worth RM1.3 million in a series of operations statewide on Jan 17 and 18.
Similar operations by other enforcement agencies in the interior last week resulted in contraband and vehicles worth several million ringgit being seized.
AdvertisementSabah Customs Assistant Director-General Siti Mang said officers at Sepanggar Port intercepted three containers containing 8,100 cartons of beer imported without valid permits on Jan. 18.
It was valued at RM243,136.08, with unpaid duties amounting to RM994,612.62. Two separate raids in Tawau on January 17 resulted in the discovery of contraband cigarettes.
SPONSORED CONTENT How Spritzer’s silica rich natural mineral water makes your skin healthier When it comes to skincare, the first thought on our minds would be beauty products such as serums, creams, and masks. However, beauty experts and even researchers have stated that drinking more water can be just as crucial for your skin's health. Read more She said officers found 1,600 cigarettes hidden under a cashier’s desk at a grocery store in Kg Jagung, Merotai Besar and another 3,076 in a nearby residence.
In Semporna, acting on intelligence, Customs officers seized 68,800 cigarettes stored in an unregistered Proton Exora at an unnumbered house in Kg Tepian.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The total value of all cigarette seizures, including unpaid taxes, amounted to RM73,346.20.
All cases are being investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a fine of up to 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is higher, and/or imprisonment between six months to five years upon conviction.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Members of the public have been urged to report any smuggling activities through their toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 and that informants’ identities will remain confidential.
In KENINGAU, five individuals, including four foreigners, were arrested following the seizure of suspected smuggled alcohol and cigarettes worth millions of ringgit here this week.
The arrests and seizures were made by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Unit (WSB/SPK) of the Bukit Aman Department of Internal Security and Public Order (KDNKA), together with the Keningau General Operations Force (GOF), during three separate raids in the town area as part of Ops Taring Alpha 2 against smuggling on Monday.
Keningau District Police Chief Supt Yampil Anak Garai, who confirmed the raids, said in the first raid at a liquor store in the town area Monday at 12.45pm, police seized 335 cartons of various alcohol worth RM330,146.10, along with cash, vehicles and mobile phones.
Upon inspection, various types suspected duty-free alcoholic beverages were found.
A 46-year-old local shopkeeper and three suspected illegals employed as shop assistants were arrested. All admitted to being involved in the illegal activities since early November 2024.
But the four claimed to be unaware of the owner of the seized vehicle, which had been left behind by one “Ah Fock” to “load goods”.
“The vehicle was registered under a company based at Lido Plaza, Penampang, and was used to transport alcohol for sale around Keningau.”
The team also raided a warehouse (Gate A) in the industrial area of Kg Durok, Jalan Keningau-Nabawan and arrested a 29-year-old foreigner with Indonesian passport and seized 3,905 cartons of various types of alcoholic beverages and 340 boxes of suspected duty-free alcohol worth RM1,970,684.14.
Also seized were a white van, van keys, a set of padlock keys, a mobile phone and a 3-tonne Daihatsu lorry.
“Further checks on the seized vehicles revealed that the van was registered under a company at Mega Shopping Centre, Keningau, while the lorry under a company based in Kampung Nosoob, Penampang, and was used to transport alcohol for sale around the Keningau area.”
Another raid was conducted the next day (Tuesday) at a warehouse (Gate 10) in the industrial area of Kg Durok, Jalan Keningau-Nabawan where police arrested a same suspect from the earlier raid and seized 80 boxes of various cigarettes worth RM2,152,864.00, along with various vehicles.
Checks on the seized vehicle revealed the lorry was registered under a company based at Lot B5-2, Level T1@Bundusan, Penampang, and was used to transport cigarettes for sale around Keningau.
Yampil said all the suspects have been remanded for four days for investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
