Customs Dept seizes illicit cigarettes, booze worth over RM3 mln after Kuching-Samarahan Expressway traffic stop

KUCHING (Nov 1): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized over RM3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and alcoholic beverages following a traffic stop on the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway on Oct 22.

Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said that a 10-ton bonded lorry loaded with 3.4 million sticks of various brands of cigarettes and 2,376 liters of booze were seized, with estimated cost including duties and taxes of RM3,153,205.

“On Oct 22, 2024, at around 2pm, the Kuching Marine Unit was patrolling around Kuching when the lorry was spotted, suspected of carrying illegal goods.

“The team proceeded to follow the lorry and successfully intercepted it on the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway,” Norizan told a press conference at the department’s enforcement division store at Sejingkat Industrial Park, Jalan Bako here today.

He said the modus operandi was by transporting the items in a refrigerated bonded lorry through a transit warehouse.

“The cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, believed to be from neighboring countries, were concealed in the lorry disguised as frozen shrimp,” said Norizan, adding that the lorry driver, a local man in his 40s, was also detained for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967 which carries a fine up to RM500,000 or a jail term up to five years or both upon conviction.

Norizan also encouraged the public to report any suspected smuggling activities by contacting the department’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or visiting the nearest Customs office.