Kota kinabalu: The Sabah Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has successfully thwarted attempts to smuggle a total of 190,080 litres of various brands of liquor, valued at RM4.15 million including tax, through two raids at Sepanggar Port this month. The operation involved nine separate cases, demonstrating a significant crackdown on illegal liquor trade in the region.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Customs director-general Datuk Seri Amran Ahmad revealed that the smuggling activities were uncovered during inspections conducted by enforcement officers on August 10 and 13 at the port's Custom Examination Area (CEA). The initial discovery was made on August 10, when Kota Kinabalu enforcement officers inspected six container units, uncovering 118,800 litres of liquor valued at RM2,676,217.50 including tax. These containers have been seized for a detailed inspection and further investigation to verify their status, ownership, documentation, and compliance with customs requirements.
On August 13, three additional cases were detected, involving 71,280 litres of beer-type liquor with an estimated value of RM1,493,563.50 including tax. Amran explained that six cases involved using containers as a medium to smuggle liquor through maritime trade by making false declarations, such as claiming the contents were furniture, PVC pipes, or generator sets. The documentation accompanying these goods was often suspicious, with inaccuracies intended to avoid detection and proper tax duties.
The remaining three cases involved the misuse of legitimate trade channels, exploiting import channels and port logistics facilities to bring non-compliant goods into the country. All nine cases are currently under investigation for violations under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for making false declarations and Section 135(1)(a) for importing or exporting non-compliant or prohibited goods.
Amran noted that investigations are ongoing to determine whether a single syndicate or multiple groups were behind these smuggling attempts, given the use of false documents and addresses. He also urged the public to assist JKDM in combating smuggling activities, encouraging them to report such activities via the Customs toll-free line or the nearest JKDM office, assuring that informants' identities will be kept confidential.