CUSTOMS DEPT SEIZES LIQUOR, FROZEN CHICKEN WORTH OVER RM1.3 MILLION IN SABAH

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs) Sabah branch, has successfully thwarted attempts to smuggle liquor and frozen chicken, valued at RM1.32 million, in four separate raids conducted recently.

Sabah Customs assistant director-general Siti Mang said that the modus operandi for smuggling 7,010 cartons of various liquor brands involved making false declarations on customs forms. Additionally, 28,000 kilogrammes of frozen chicken were brought into the country without an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services Department.

“The first seizure occurred during an inspection of a container at Sepanggar Port on Nov 12, which revealed 2,500 cartons of undeclared liquor, worth RM376,233,” she explained.

“The second case took place on Dec 3, 2024, at around 9.50 am, when a team of officers from the Kota Kinabalu Enforcement Division detained and inspected a container, at the customs inspection area at Sepanggar Port, Kota Kinabalu,” she added.

She further explained that the inspection of the container revealed that the liquor was believed in violation of regulations under the Customs Act 1967.

"The liquor for this case amounted to 2,500 cartons, equivalent to 19,200 litres, estimated to be worth RM72,768, with a total tax involved of RM297,676," he said.

She said that the third seizure, on Nov 20, yielded 2,010 cartons of branded liquor, with an estimated value of RM292,088.24 including tax, at Sepanggar Port.

The fourth seizure saw the enforcement team successfully seize 28,000 kilogrammes of frozen chicken, worth RM285,600 including tax, which was also in a container that was attempted to be smuggled in through Sepanggar Port, on Dec 6.

She added that further investigations are ongoing under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.

-- BERNAMA