Smugglers attempted to fool authorities by using kampung house to stash illicit beer

Cheong (middle) and his senior officers showing the seized contraband beer.

KOTA KINABALU: Smugglers attempted to outsmart the authorities by hiding contraband beer worth more than RM600,000 at a kampung house in the semi-rural Tamparuli sub-district, about 40km from here.

Their ruse, however, was uncovered when Customs officials raided the unnumbered house at Jalan Tamparuli Togop on Aug 24.

Sabah Customs assistant director-general Cheong Yu Min said in the 8pm operation, his men found some 31,000 litres of the illicit items kept in three lorries that were parked in the house’s compound.

“Following the check, we found various kinds of alcoholic beverages worth RM123,450 with an estimated unpaid taxes of RM495,849,” he said in a press conference here on Friday (Sept 2).

He said no arrests were made as the house was unoccupied and locked, adding they had to break open the door in order to gain access into the house.

“The case will be investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967,” he added.

Cheong urged the public to continuously help the Customs Department in its efforts to weed out smuggling activities particularly involving cigarettes, firecrackers, vehicles and drugs.

At the same time, he advised the people not to delve into such criminal activities as they would not only cost the country in revenue, but could also bring harm to the public’s well-being.

He urged the people to report any smuggling activities to the department’s toll-free number at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office.

“The department assures that the identity of informants will be kept confidential,” he said.