Siti showing the confiscated alcohol. – Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 25): The Sabah Customs Department (JKDM) thwarted attempts to smuggle 3,463 cartons of alcohol worth more than half a million ringgit including duties and taxes, in two separate operations here.
Sabah Customs assistant director-general Siti Mang said in the first operation, a team had inspected a container at the Sepanggar Port on October 10, where they found 3,000 cartons or 23,760 litres of alcohol estimated to worth RM90,050, with RM368,375 in unpaid taxes and duties.
Siti said early investigation found that the container had been declared as containing canned peanut, canned food stuff and fish luncheon to confuse the authorities.
In the second case, she said a team had inspected a storeroom near Kampung Luagan Sanginan in Beaufort, where they found 463 cartons or 3,675 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of RM13,867 and RM55,790 in unpaid taxes and duties.
Siti said a 28-year-old man was arrested during the operation.
Both cases are investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act for possession of undeclared goods, which provides for a fine of no less than ten times than the value of goods or RM100,000, and no more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, upon conviction.
The Assistant Director-General called on the public to assist JKDM in tackling smuggling activities especially involving cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, drugs, vehicles, etc and advised them not to get involved in such activities.
“Smuggling not only brings losses to the country in terms of revenue leakage, but also threatens the safety of the country and the well-being of the people,” she told reporters at a press conference here on Monday.
