LABUAN – The Customs Department earlier this week thwarted an attempt to smuggle out 560 cartons of beer of various brands worth RM143,186.40, including taxes, to mainland Sabah.
Labuan Customs director Aspalila Ag Tuah said the consignment was seized during a routine check at the ro-ro ferry terminal here at 11am on January 15.
She said this was the first seizure made ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
“Our officers who were on duty at the ferry terminal were inspecting an eight-tonne truck en route to Kota Kinabalu.
“The truck operator had declared the cargo onboard as waste paper, and upon thorough checks, they found the alcoholic drinks wrapped in waste paper in pallet form,” she said.
Aspalila said the lorry and the alcoholic drinks were sent to the Labuan customs store for further investigations.
The truck driver had been detained under Section 135 (1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. – Bernama, January 20, 2023
