Cigarettes and beer worth RM870,840 were seized by customs officers at The Sarawak Royal Malaysian Customs (JKDM) on 17 December. The goods were shipped from Singapore and were imported by a non-existent company, said police.
The tip-off about the illegal goods was received by the Sarawak Customs on 13 December, following which the Collaborated Border Management carried out an inspection of containers at the Senari Port, Kuching – the capital of Sarawak. The Malay Mail reported that a container of cigarettes and two containers of illegally imported beer were revealed. It was also reported that the containers were marked to carry clothing, bags, pencils, imitation jewellery and shoes.
"All the goods seized are impounded under Section 114, of the Customs Act 1967 as they are suspected to be imported without a valid import licence," said Sarawak JKDM director Ahmad Jii in a media conference, according to the news website. Ahmad also said that another 20 containers have been confiscated at the Sibu Port for carrying smuggled cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. The total worth of the goods from these containers is yet to be estimated.
The director also informed that a total of 238 individuals have been detained by Sarawak Police for their involvement in various customs offences since January. The illegal goods that were imported included cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, firecrackers, fireworks and vehicles. Ahmad also said that Kuching and Bintulu are two most common entry points for illegal goods.
