60 tonnes of illicit firecrackers, fireworks seized
KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department has this year seized 60.178 tonnes of smuggled firecrackers and fireworks as of May 9, with the largest smuggling attempt nationwide busted on May 1.
State Customs director Herman Shah Abdullah said the Labour Day haul under ‘Ops Letup 2021’ involved 46.783 tonnes of illicit firecrackers and fireworks worth RM754,152.12, which were seized en route from Jalan Batu 7 to Jalan Haji Baki-Batu Kitang.
“On May 1 at about 5.30pm, a team from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Sarawak enforcement division in Kuching stopped two trailers, each transporting a container of smuggled firecrackers and fireworks of various brands,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He said the smuggled firecrackers and fireworks, believed to be on the way to Kuching from Bintulu, were likely imported from China using a permit.
He explained many import permits had been issued by the police for major festivals such as New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Gawai Dayak, and Christmas.
“However, we believe the importer intended to evade tax as the quantity of the firecrackers and fireworks declared to the authorities was not the same as the actual amount being imported,” he said.
Herman said the smuggling attempt involved uncollected duties of RM386,198.88.
“Three local individuals were arrested to facilitate in the investigations. The items seized are believed intended to be distributed around Kuching due to high demand in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak festivals,” he said.
The department is taking statements from the suspects, two aged 44 and the other aged 60, and working to identity their bosses and local buyers, he said.
Herman pointed out the containers were supposed to arrive late at night to avoid raising the suspicion of the authorities, but they were successfully seized by the department’s enforcement division.
“The smuggling attempt was foiled due to the efforts of our enforcement personnel under ‘Ops Letup 2021’, and it was not based on tip-offs from the public.
“Our team has consistently
carried out monitoring on the roads, especially targeting cargo lorries and trailers transporting containers,” he said.
The case is being investigated
under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for false declaration, which carries a maximum fine of RM500,000, a maximum jail term of seven years, or both upon conviction.
It is also being investigated under Section 135(1)(g) of the same Act for tax evasion.
On whether the case was related to another foiled attempt in Bintulu on May 7 to smuggle firecrackers and fireworks, Herman said the department has not ruled out the possibility and that an investigation is underway to identify the importer.
On May 7, the Customs Department enforcement branch in Bintulu seized a container containing over seven tonnes of smuggled fireworks and firecrackers worth RM51,930 with unpaid duties of RM33,754.50.
As of May 9, Herman said the Customs Department had stopped 15 smuggling attempts of illicit fireworks and firecrackers statewide with a combined value of RM795,076.07 and uncollected duties of RM513,166.87.
Members of the public can report smuggling activities by calling the Customs Department’s toll-free hotline on 1-800-888855 or going to the nearest Customs office.
The identity of the informant would remain confidential.