KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — Police have uncovered a suspected tax-stamp diversion scheme involving luxury liquor following the seizure of 370 bottles worth RM702,566 in the Klang Valley on Monday and yesterday.
The operation, Ops Taring Alpha 2, was conducted by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) of the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA), in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Customs Department.
WCB/PSK commander Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the liquor, packed in 73 boxes, was seized during separate raids at a warehouse in Selangor and business premises in the capital.
He said initial inspections at the warehouse found that some luxury liquor bottles allegedly bore tax stamps or customs labels with lower duty rates than those applicable to the products.
“The modus operandi is believed to involve the diversion of tax stamps to evade excise duty payments, potentially resulting in revenue leakage,” he said in a statement today.
However, inspections at the second premises found that all liquor bottles bore valid tax stamps, with no offences detected.
Mohd Zaki said four individuals, including three Bangladeshis, were arrested to assist investigations under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
The Customs Department is also investigating possible offences under Section 133(1)(c) of the Customs Act 1967. — Bernama