Customs calls time on watch smuggling
Department seizes 405 luxury timepieces worth more than RM16 million over unpaid duty
KUCHING: The Customs Department seized 405 luxury watches worth over RM16 million that it believed were smuggled into the state.
Customs Sarawak director Dato Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said the department confiscated the items during separate raids at two leading shopping malls here on Wednesday.
“During the raids, a total of 405 watches of different models and brands were seized. The watches are worth RM16.412 million with unpaid duty of RM820,607.67,” she said in a statement yesterday.
She said the raids, carried out together with the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC), were based on intelligence received and gathered by the
department.
The watches, she added, are believed to have been smuggled into the state from Hong Kong and other countries via Kuala Lumpur.
“Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the watches will be ‘transited’ to Kuching International Airport to avoid checks by Customs.
“There are also instances when the watches were brought in to Kuching direct from Singapore.”
Sharifah Halimah said some of
the watches would be kept inside a briefcase, with the person carrying it exiting the airport arrival hall without making a Customs declaration.
“Some of the watches were also worn by individuals as their personal belonging to avoid detection by Customs officers at the airport gates,” she added.
Based on photos released by the department, the items seized included Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches that were priced as high as RM177,000 apiece.
The department has classified its investigation under Section 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967, for fraudulent evasion of customs duty.
This latest seizure comes two weeks a er a Customs enforcement team seized 42 luxury vehicles from a local company here on Jan 2, for unpaid import duties amounting to RM10.207 million.
It had been reported that all 42 vehicles of different makes were worth RM6.485 million. The vehicles were stored inside the compound of a nearby place of worship.
The department, meanwhile, said anyone with information regarding smuggling activities in the state can contact its toll-free number 1-800-88-8855 or visit its website at hp://aduan.customs.gov.my.
During the raids, a total of 405 watches of different models and brands were seized. The watches are worth RM16.412 million with unpaid duty of RM820,607.67.
Dato Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha