Sarawak GOF scores another success in contraband fight
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) has scored another success, seizing 8,952 cartons of contraband cigarettes and liquor worth RM2,267,760.
The total figure comprised 512 cartons of liquor worth RM92,160 and 8,440 cartons of cigarettes worth RM2,025,600. A five-tonne lorry valued at RM150,000 was also confiscated.
Sarawak GOF commander SAC Datuk Khaw Kok Chin told the press at Sarawak GOF headquarters, Batu Kawa here that two raids were carried out at two locations on Monday and yesterday.
The first raid of ‘Ops Libas’ on a warehouse in Jalan Ellis at 1.30pm saw the seizure of the contraband liquor.
Six GOF members and three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission personnel were involved
“Investigations revealed that a 39-year-old man, who claimed to be the warehouse guard, failed to produce any documents relating to the discovery of the goods. He was later detained for further investigation.
“Based on the information obtained, the goods are believed to be smuggled from neighbouring countries to be marketed locally,” said Khaw.
The case was handed over to the Kuching District Police Headquarters (IPD) for investigation under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 which could result in a fine of up to 20 times the value of the goods or a three-year jail term or both if convicted.
On the second raid, Khaw said, “The team conducted a search on a truck here.
“After waiting for an hour, no one appeared to claim as the owner of the truck.
“The team found 8,440 cartons of cigarettes of various brands in the truck.”
The case is being handled by Padawan IPD.
If convicted under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, the punishment is a fine of not less than 10 times value or RM100,000, or imprisonment of not less than six months or not more than five years or both.
