KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) recorded seizures worth RM420,468.08 in October, involving smuggled liquor and vehicles.
It's Director Dr Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman said RM308,468.08 came from seized alcoholic beverages, while RM112,000 involved vehicles.
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Three cases of smuggled beer, believed to have entered from Labuan ahead of festive celebrations, led to the seizure of 16,716.32 litres on Oct 29.
The seizures included a bonded truck stopped along the Pan Borneo Highway in Papar with duties and taxes estimated at RM83,230.43, another bonded truck found at the Menumbok Ferry Terminal parking area involving RM83,930.88, and a locked lorry near Jalan Beaufort-Menumbok heading to Kuala Penyu with estimated duties and taxes of RM76,878.44.
Ahmad said alcoholic beverages are classified as prohibited goods under the Customs Order 2023 without a valid permit, and all cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(i) of the Customs Act 1967.
Meanwhile, JKDM Sabah also secured convictions in two sales tax cases at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court, involving unpaid taxes and penalties totalling RM553,327.79.
The court ordered the accused to settle the full amounts within nine months or face fines and imprisonment.
