KOTA KINABALU: Customs officers have foiled nine attempts to smuggle liquor worth RM4.15mil, including duties and taxes, through Sepanggar Port here.
Customs director-general Datuk Seri Amran Ahmad said seizures on Aug 10 and 13 involved nine containers carrying a total of 190,080 litres of liquor.
The first six cases were detected during inspections at the Customs Examination Area at Sepanggar Port on Aug 10, involving seized goods valued at RM1,106,820, with duties and taxes amounting to RM3,043,903.50.
“Checks found various brands of liquor believed to have contravened Customs regulations,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday (Aug 26).
Amran said the consignments were believed to have been brought in through normal maritime trade routes and falsely declared as furniture, generator sets, PVC pipes, shoes, bathtubs, luggage and welding machines.
“The declarations or documentation were suspected to be inaccurate.
“The goods were not properly declared or did not comply with Customs requirements in an attempt to avoid detection and payment of duties and taxes,” he said.
Three more cases were detected at the same port on Aug 13, involving 71,280 litres of beer valued at RM1.49mil, including duties and taxes.
Amran said the cases were believed to have exploited legitimate import channels and port logistics facilities.
All nine cases are being investigated under Sections 133(1)(a) and 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for making false declarations and importing or exporting uncustomed or prohibited goods.
An offence under Section 133(1)(a) carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.
For a first offence under Section 135(1)(a), offenders may face a fine of up to 20 times the Customs duty involved or RM500,000, whichever is higher, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Amran urged the public to report smuggling activities involving liquor, cigarettes, firecrackers, vehicles and other goods to the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office.
