KOTA KINABALU: Customs seized an array of vehicles and contraband items worth over RM1mil in a large-scale operation in Labuan last month.
The vehicles were seized after they were deemed to have violated Item 14 of the Customs Duties (Exemption) Order 2017 which concerns the purchase of automobiles in duty-free islands in Malaysia.
Labuan Customs director Aspalila Ag Tuah said the owners had failed to return with the motorcars to the Federal Territory island within the 90-day expiry period.
Seven cases were detected during the operation codenamed “Op Radu” from Aug 26 to 30, she said, adding the vehicles involved unpaid taxes up to RM820,000.
Among the vehicles seized in the operation, she said, included luxury models like the BMW 320i, and Volkswagen EOS 2.0 TSI as well as Toyota sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and other imported vehicles.
“We detected a string of violations of Customs rules in just five days, our team’s intelligence work and dedication had paid off,” she told reporters at the Kiamsam Customs Office on Friday (Sept 12).
The case, Aspalila added, was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Labuan Customs officers had in June made a similar bust of vehicles contravening this law, with vehicles worth RM3.08mil seized in that operation.
Meanwhile, Aspalila said her enforcement team also seized illicit cigarettes and firecrackers at an unmarked storeroom in Kampung Rancha-Rancha on Aug 27.
She said they believed the items, worth over RM240,000 including unpaid taxes, were smuggled in from mainland Sabah, adding no arrest was made.
In other raids in the Kuala Penyu and Beaufort districts in Sabah, she said they seized over 47,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes and 156 boxes containing instant coffee mix and cosmetic items.
The items were valued at over RM59,00, including unpaid taxes, she added.
“We arrested a foreigner who had valid travel documents during the raid in Kuala Penyu,” Aspalila said, adding the person was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
