PETALING JAYA: The Customs Department has seized undeclared liquor estimated to be worth nearly RM400,000 after detaining a container at Port Klang recently.
Its Kuala Lumpur director, Wan Norizan Wan Daud, said the seizure was carried out by the department's Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Enforcement Division during an operation known as Ops Petasan at about 9.30pm on Feb 11.
"Inspection of the 40-foot container uncovered various brands of liquor suspected of being undeclared, with an estimated quantity of 4,552.52 litres valued at RM380,524.16, including duties and taxes," he said at a press conference at the Customs Department Kuala Lumpur Complex on Monday (March 16).
He said the importation of liquor requires an import licence and tax stamps approved by the Director-General of Malaysian Customs under Regulation 42(1) of the Customs Regulations 2019, adding that the case is still under investigation.
In a separate case, Wan Norizan said authorities also dismantled a syndicate involved in processing and bottling illegal beer-type liquor during a raid on an unmarked premises in Kampung Bukit Lanchong at about 3.30pm on Feb 6.
"The raid, carried out based on public information, found that the premises were being used to process and bottle counterfeit liquor in an attempt to mislead the authorities.
"Further inspections uncovered several processing and bottling machines as well as liquor of various brands suspected of not being cleared by Customs, with an estimated quantity of 703.3 litres involving a total value and duties or taxes of RM208,594.24," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 74(1)(f) of the Excise Act 1976, which covers offences related to participating in the distillation, fermentation or manufacture of dutiable goods.
Wan Norizan also urged the public to assist authorities in combating smuggling activities, particularly involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs and vehicles.
Members of the public with information related to smuggling activities can report it through the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or contact the nearest Customs office nationwide, with assurances that the identity of informants will be kept confidential, he said. – Bernama
