Heavier punishment awaits those selling contraband cigarettes, liquor
SEPANG: The Customs Department has proposed to the Government to amend the Customs Act 1967 to impose caning and a minimum fine of RM100,000 on those who sell smuggled cigarettes and liquor.
Customs director-general Datuk Seri T Subromaniam said the heavier penalties were aimed at curbing the sales of the contraband items.
“With the amendment of the act, those who sell smuggled cigarettes will be fined a minimum of RM100,000 and face whipping, instead of only a fine of between 10 to 20 times the value of the items, where previously, the syndicates would usually pay the fine.
“We are confident that the outlets selling smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes and liquor in the country can be controlled through these punitive measures,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Subromaniam said the Customs Department had conducted 1,063 raids on premises to identify distributors and manufacturers of counterfeit liquor nationwide since Sept 21.
He said the operation which saw 17,374 litres of liquor confiscated was also aimed at restricting the supply of contaminated liquor in the market which has so far resulted in 36 deaths nationwide.
“This involves an estimated value of RM40,571 and total tax of RM168,375. In this special operation, 129 people have been detained for further investigation under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 20 (1) of the Excise Act 1976,” he said.
Meanwhile, Subromaniam said the department had busted another counterfeit liquor processing syndicate through a raid on a factory in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on Sept 28.
He said the team also found bottles, stickers, as well as bottling and processing equipment.
“The Customs Department has detained a 60-year- old local man involved in the processing of counterfeit liquor.
“The modus operandi of the syndicate is to process various brands of counterfeit liquor for the domestic market in residential areas to evade the authorities.
“The counterfeit liquor is then sold to foreigners at much cheaper prices compared to the market,” he added. — Bernama