KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Customs Department confiscated three containers containing 76,836kg of frozen meat worth RM2.45mil with an estimated tax of around RM491,327.03 in surveillance operations held in June and July.
Its director Hasbollah Din said the first seizure involved frozen chicken breasts at the Free Trade Zone, in Klang, Selangor, on June 23, which were declared as frozen mixed vegetables without any import permit.
"The second case involved the seizure of frozen duck meat, which was declared as frozen mixed vegetables on July 23 at Terminal 1, Free Trade Zone, North Port, Port Klang, Selangor, while the third case involved the seizure of frozen chicken on the same day in Port Klang," he said in a statement on Sunday (Sept 28).
Hasbollah said all three cases used the modus operandi of false declaration and were being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 which can be fined not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000, or whichever is greater, and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is greater, or jail of not less than six months or not more than five years, or both.
According to the same section, individuals who are convicted of an offence can be fined or imprisoned for not less than seven years or both.
"The case is also being investigated under Section 132(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1966, which, if convicted, the party can be fined not less than RM500,000 or imprisoned for not less than seven (7) years or both," he said.
In this regard, he urged the public to help the Customs Department combat the smuggling of cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other contraband.
Public tip-offs can be channelled to the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855. All identities of informants are guaranteed to be kept confidential. - Bernama
