LABUAN: A smuggling attempt using a modified four-wheel-drive vehicle ended in failure after vigilant officers from the Labuan Customs Department uncovered liquor concealed in a hidden compartment at the Labuan Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Ferry Terminal recently.
Labuan Customs Department director Aspalila Awang Tuah said the syndicate resorted to hiding various brands of liquor in a specially altered section beneath the vehicle’s rear bonnet, in a bid to evade inspection while transporting the goods into the Principal Customs Area without declaration.
She said sharp detection by the enforcement team, working alongside the Passenger Inspection Branch, led to the discovery of 72.5 litres of liquor and the seizure of the vehicle, with total value including duties and taxes estimated at RM134,156.48.
"The modus operandi was to hide the liquor in a modified section of the vehicle to avoid detection during inspection.
"However, the attempt was successfully foiled following an inspection by the Labuan Customs enforcement and passenger inspection teams,” she said to Bernama on Tuesday (May 5).
Aspalila said the four-wheel-drive vehicle, carrying two individuals, was inspected at 12.01pm on April 27 while queueing to board a ferry to Menumbok, Sabah, at the Labuan Vehicle Ferry Terminal.
She said the seized liquor, valued at RM128,090 with duties and taxes amounting to RM6,066.48, along with the vehicle have been handed over to the JKDM Enforcement Branch’s Investigation Unit for further action while the two suspects were detained for investigations under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Under this section, she said offenders may be fined between 10 and 20 times the value of the goods, or between RM100,000 and RM500,000, whichever is higher, or jailed for between six months and five years, or both upon conviction.
Aspalila said the Customs Department remains steadfast in curbing smuggling and ensuring compliance with customs laws, stressing that such activities not only result in revenue losses but also pose risks to national security and public well-being.
She urged the public to assist enforcement efforts by reporting smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other goods via the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or at the nearest customs office, assuring that informants’ identities would be kept confidential. - Bernama
