KULAI: Police have dismantled a counterfeit liquor bottling and storage operation in two separate raids in the area, seizing items worth an estimated RM1.7mil.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the raids were carried out by a team from the General Operations Force (PGA) 5th Battalion Simpang Renggam between 2pm and 3.30pm on Feb 3.
He said the first raid was conducted at a premises in Taman Mewah Kulai, which was believed to be used for bottling counterfeit liquor.
"During the raid, police arrested three Myanmar nationals, two men and a woman, aged 20 to 30.
"We also seized bottling equipment and a large quantity of boxes containing various types of liquor, believed to be untaxed," he told a press conference at the Senai police station here on Wednesday (Feb 11).
Comm Ab Rahaman added that among the items seized were three 200-litre drums containing concentrated alcohol, as well as several modified drums fitted with hoses containing hundreds of litres of liquid suspected to be mixed counterfeit liquor.
He said police also confiscated a half-full 1,000-litre drum containing suspected mixed counterfeit liquor, as well as colouring substances, caramel flavouring, measuring equipment and a pump.
"Other items seized included a bottle-capping machine, 50 boxes of empty bottles, boxes of bottle caps, fake Customs labels and rolls of labels bearing liquor brands.
"A total of 203 boxes of various liquor brands were also seized during the first raid," he said.
Police then conducted a second raid on a location in Taman Senai Utama, believed to have been used to store the counterfeit liquor.
Comm Ab Rahaman said in the second operation, police arrested a 26-year-old local man and seized a van.
He added that a total of 414 boxes of various liquor brands were confiscated from the premises.
Comm Ab Rahaman said the estimated value of the bottling equipment seized was RM8,100, while the counterfeit liquor was valued at RM923,500.
"The estimated tax evasion amounts to RM665,045 and the seized vehicle is valued at RM80,000, bringing the total value of the overall seizure to about RM1.7mil," he said.
Comm Ab Rahaman added that all four suspects have been remanded for nine days until Thursday (Feb 12) under Section 116C of the Customs Act 1967 to assist in investigations.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, Section 76 of the Excise Act 1976 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"We believe that this syndicate has been operating for the past six months, supplying the fake liquor to sundry shops around the state for sale to foreign workers," he added.
Comm Ab Rahaman said Johor police would continue efforts to combat counterfeit liquor activities and other offences.
He also urged the people to provide them with information on any unlawful activities in order to safeguard national security and public order.
