Kota Kinabalu: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department foiled the sale of untaxed cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, with confiscations worth a total of RM1.04 million in four separate raids.
Sabah Customs Deputy Director Siti Mang said seven people aged between 19 and 53 were detained.
She said the raids were conducted between Aug 29 and Sept 11 in several districts.
In raids on cafés in Penampang and Tamparuli around 8pm on Sept 5, the raiding team detained five local individuals aged between 19 and 46.
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“In Tawau, the raiding team consisting of the JKDM Tawau Enforcement Unit detained a 53-year-old local at a café in Pekan Merotai Besar on Aug 29, around noon.
“An inspection of the café found 36,760 cigarettes and 1,600gm of tobacco with an estimated value of RM7,016 and RM25,024.80 in estimated duties and taxes.”
On Sept 7, around 8.30am, the raiding team from the Sandakan Enforcement Unit seized various branded cigarettes at an unnumbered house in Sandakan.
An inspection of the premises revealed 65,000 cigarettes and 237.60 litres of various branded alcoholic beverages, with an estimated value of RM65,900.50.
The total estimated duties and taxes involved amounted to RM505,084.25.
Siti said a 28-year-old local was also detained at a café in Semporna on Sept 11, around 4.24pm.
The raiding team seized 44,800 cigarettes with an estimated value of RM108,960 and RM326,880 in estimated duties and taxes.
Meanwhile, between January and August, the Sabah Customs Enforcement Division seized various types of drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy, ketamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms, involving 163 cases with an estimated seizure value of RM440,027.26.
During the same period, the Narcotics Branch of the Sabah Customs Enforcement Division also combated ketum smuggling, with the seizure of three tonnes of ketum in leaf and powder forms.
The total number of cases involved was 78, with an estimated seizure value of RM137,524.
According to Siti, the modus operandi for these cases involved the covert sale of untaxed goods.
“These goods were stored in hidden locations within business premises to mislead authorities and avoid detection.
“For ketum-related cases, smugglers used courier services and public transport,” she said.
She added that the cigarette seizure cases will be investigated under Section 135(1)d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing or storing non-customs or prohibited import goods.
Drug cases will be investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while ketum seizures will be investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
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