KOTA KINABALU: Customs personnel foiled an attempt to smuggle in contraband alcohol worth over RM300,000 in Sabah’s southwestern Papar district.
It is believed the items were brought in from Labuan to be distributed for sale in the state capital.
Following a tip-off, Customs officers intercepted and stopped a lorry at KM1 Jalan Lama Papar - Penampang, near Kampung Novuong, at about 11pm on June 12.
State Customs assistant director-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Deraman said following a check, they found some 30 plastic drums inside the lorry.
Underneath them, he added, was a large canvas that covered the floor.
“Under the canvass, we found 2,500 cartons of various alcoholic beverages,” he told reporters at the Sabah Customs enforcement office in Sepanggar near here on Monday (June 24).
“The smuggler tried to sneak off with the items by hiding them under the canvas and drums.
“We have detained a 43-year-old man who was driving the lorry for further investigations,” he added.
Mohd Nasir said the drinks were worth some RM347,223 including unpaid taxes and duties.
He added that together with the lorry, the seized items were worth RM451,223.
Investigations have been framed under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for tax evasion, he said.
Towards this end, he urged the public to work with the authorities to curb smuggling activities by contacting its toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855.
The identities of informants would be kept confidential, Mohd Nasir added.
