SEREMBAN: The Customs Department has foiled attempts to smuggle in, as well as distribute, contraband beer and cigarettes worth some RM5mil in three operations in Selangor last month, says the department’s Negri Sembilan chief Muhammad Ilyas Queek Abdullah.
Muhammad Ilyas said in the first operation, his men inspected a bonded lorry at a residential area in Jenjarom and found 5,280 500ml beer cans inside.
“The beer cans did not have tax stamps and were believed to have been smuggled in.
“The contraband and the lorry, which had false registration plates, were impounded,” he said in a statement.
Following the operation, Customs officers raided a warehouse in the same area and found 26,328 beer cans kept in a container.
The beer was also believed to have been smuggled in as the cans did not carry the required tax stamps.
Muhammad Ilyas said the seized contraband, including unpaid taxes and the lorry, are estimated to be worth some RM600,000.
“We believe the modus operandi of the syndicate was to make a false declaration when bringing in the contraband.
“They would then use lorries to distribute and sell the beer in the local market,” he said.
Muhammad Ilyas said in the third operation, his men raided a warehouse in Taman Perindustrian Puchong and seized 287,500 cigarette packs on which taxes had not been paid.
The contraband cigarettes were estimated to be worth some RM4.4mil, inclusive of unpaid duties.
“Again, the modus operandi of the syndicate was to smuggle in cigarettes without following the proper procedures and then store them at a warehouse before selling them locally,” he added.
All three cases, he said, were being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) and (e) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 74(1)(a) of the Excise Act 1976.
Both provisions carry a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of the duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher; and not more than 20 times the amount of the duty or RM500,000, whichever is higher; or to imprisonment between six months and five years, or both, upon conviction.
Muhammad Ilyas urged the public to continue helping the department put a stop to such activities, as a matter of national security.
