‘Customs prefers bringing smugglers to court instead of issuing compounds’

KUCHING: A total of 238 individuals have been convicted of smuggling cigarettes and beer into the state up to November this year.

Deputy director of state Customs Department Assan Mohamad said the department preferred to drag suspects to court instead of issuing compounds.

Speaking at a news conference here yesterday, he said taking action against an offender in a court of law would be more effective than issuing compounds.

“Action is taken against those who sold one or two bottles of smuggled beer, what more individuals suspected to have smuggled cartons of beer,” he said at the department’s Enforcement Store at Jalan Demak Laut 3 here yesterday.

The department acted on information and seized cigarettes and beer worth RM870,840 during an operation at Senari Port here last Tuesday.

However, no arrest has been made for the case which is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.

Assan pointed out that the department had made three major seizures throughout Sarawak prior to the one that took place this week.

“We have seized three containers loaded with cartons of beer in Bintulu, two containers of cigarettes in Sibu, and two containers of alcohol in SarikeiTanjung Manis.”

To a question, he said the department would reward informers while their details were kept confidential.

“We have to look at the authenticity of the information and informers. We do have rewards for information. How much I cannot tell as it all depends on the case. Informers are assured that their identities are kept secret.”

Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are urged to inform the department by dialing free-toll line 1-300-888-500 or the Customs Office here at 082-333017 during office hours.