PETALING JAYA, Sept 2 — The Central Zone Royal Malaysian Customs seized contraband liquor worth RM1.5 million, including unpaid duty, after carrying out two raids in Klang Valley, on August 23.
Central Zone assistant director-general Mohammad Sabri Saad said inspection of two containers at the North Port in Port Klang between 5pm and 6.30pm, revealed the two containers were loaded with contraband liquor, namely Knight General, Tsingtao beers and China Liquor, believed to have been brought in without approval from Customs.
He said following the inspection, officers seized 42,630.66 litres of contraband alcohol worth RM334,810 which is believed to have been brought in from the Middle East.
Mohammad Sabri said the liquor was declared in the custom’s form as ‘Nut and Washer’ and ‘Bolt Washer’ from a neighbouring country.
“The case is still under investigation. The forwarding agent for one of the containers has been detained for investigations. We are not ruling out the involvement of a syndicate of triad members,” he told reporters at the Central Zone Customs Department in Kelana Jaya, here today.
Mohammad Sabri said from January to August 26, the department recorded 119 cases involving goods seized through various operations and raids worth RM210 million while cigarettes and alcohol accounted for 75 per cent of the seized items.
He urged members of the public to assist the department to eliminate the threat of smuggling, especially cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, firecrackers and vehicles since such activities not only deprive the government of revenue but also bring about unhealthy practices among the people.
— Bernama
