Sibu: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized 8.33 million sticks of cigarettes and 190.08 litres of liquor without duty in a raid on a house in Brooke Drive here. Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya stated that the raid was conducted by the Sibu enforcement branch’s land operations unit on October 10. The premises were being used as a storage location for the contraband items.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the seized cigarettes and liquor have an estimated value of RM750,840. The total duties and taxes involved in the seizure are estimated at RM5,575,667, bringing the overall value of the seizure, including taxes, to RM6,326,508. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for storing or possessing prohibited goods without permission.

Offenders, if convicted, may face a fine of no less than 10 times the amount of customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000. Additionally, they could face imprisonment of no less than six months and not more than five years, or both. The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has urged the public to provide information on smuggling activities by contacting the Customs Toll-Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or any nearest customs office. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.