RM400,000 beer confiscated
Published on: Thursday, September 12, 2024
By: Jeremy S Zabala
Siti (middle) showing the beer confiscated at Sepanggar Port on Sept 4.
Kota Kinabalu: Yet another attempt to smuggle alcohol worth RM436,021 from a neighbouring country was foiled by the Sabah Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in an operation at Sepanggar Port on Sept 4.
Sabah Zone Customs Assistant Director-General Siti Mang said prior to the confiscation of the contraband, officers stationed at the port detected illegal products that were stored inside the containers which were declared as clothes and furniture through scanners.
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Upon identifying abnormalities, she said further inspection was carried out on all the containers in which some 19,800 litres of “Iceberg” beer were found.
“All the drinks in question were estimated to be worth RM75,042, while the duty and tax value is more than RM360,979.
“It is believed that smugglers carry out this activity not only to avoid paying taxes but also due to the import permit procedures,” she told a press conference.
Siti said the case is currently being investigated under Section 135 (1)(a) and Section 133 (1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 which carries a punishment of a fine of not less than 10 times the amount of Customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is greater.
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“If found guilty, those involved can also be punished up to not more than 20 times the amount of customs duty or RM500,000, whichever is greater.
“Offenders can also be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than six months or not more than five years or both,” she said.
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She also said smuggling activities by various forms have not only harm the country in terms of loss of income, but also pose a threat to national security and the well-being of the people.
She urged the public to play their role in channeling information related to any smuggling activities on the Customs Toll-Free line 1-800-88-8855.
On May 10, the JKDM carried out an operation where six containers of liquor worth more than RM2.74 million including duties and taxes were confiscated at Sepanggar Port.
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