KUCHING: The Sarawak Royal Malaysian Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle cigarettes and liquor declared as frozen shrimp after intercepting the shipment on the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway on Oct 22.
Sarawak customs director Norizan Yahya said that they seized a 10-tonne bonded truck carrying 3.4 million cigarettes of various brands, suspected to be from a neighbouring country, along with 2,376 litres of suspected untaxed liquor. The estimated duties and taxes amount to RM3.15mil.
Speaking to reporters at Kuching Custom Enforcement Division on Friday (Nov 1), he said a team from the Kuching Marine Unit intercepted the lorry at Jalan Kuching-Samarahan Expressway and detained the 40-year-old local driver.
Norizan said the case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967, adding that if convicted, the offender may face a fine of up to RM500,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.
He urged the public to assist the customs in combatting the smuggling of cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles, and other items. – Bernama
