Kota Kinabalu: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMC) seized half a million ringgit worth of beer after raiding a house in Tamparuli, near here, on Wednesday (Aug 24).
Sabah RMC Assistant Director Cheong Yu Min said the unpaid duties for the 31,775 litres of contraband amounted to M495,850.
“A Customs Operational Battle Force Response Assault (Cobra) team found the booze piled in three trucks parked outside the unnumbered house at Jalan Tamparuli Togop.
“The house was later found to be uninhabited and had to be broken into,” he said. Investigations show the culprit’s modus operandi was to stash contraband in houses meant as transit to avoid detection.
“The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM619,300,” Cheong added.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
If convicted, the minimum penalty is 10 times the product’s worth or RM100,000 in fine, or not less than six months’ imprisonment.
Cheong urged the public to stay away from purchasing smuggled items which would not only incur loss to the nation but pose a threat to the security and wellbeing of the people.
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