SIBU: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak seized contraband items worth more than RM2.2 million in three separate raids here, involving white cigarettes, liquor and frozen products.
Sarawak State Customs Director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the enforcement action was carried out following intelligence from the Headquarters Intelligence Zone, which led to raids by the Sibu Land Operations Unit.
The first raid was conducted on July 30, 2025, around 9.30am at an abandoned commercial building in Lorong Tunku Abdul Rahman 29A. Customs officers seized 1.2 million sticks of white cigarettes and 3,294.72 litres of liquor, with the value of goods and taxes amounting to RM979,206.62.
“About 10 minutes later, another team raided an empty house at Lorong Kong Yit Khim 8A. The operation uncovered 800,000 sticks of white cigarettes and 4,625.28 litres of liquor, with an estimated total value of RM703,232.38,” Norizan said.
The third raid was carried out the next morning, July 31, 2025, at around 8.30am, at a warehouse in Jalan Then Kung Suk. Officers confiscated 64,524 kilograms of frozen products stored in three containers and 792 litres of liquor, worth RM584,871.69 including taxes.
Altogether, the raids brought the total seizure value and tax to RM2,267,310.69.
“These cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. If convicted, offenders face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both,” he explained at a press conference at the Sibu Customs Office.
He added that cigarettes, liquor and frozen products are prohibited imports under the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023 unless importers obtain the required permits.
“The modus operandi of the syndicates is to store the items in empty or abandoned premises before distributing them to the local market,” he said.
Norizan also urged the public to work together with JKDM by reporting smuggling activities through the Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855 or at the nearest Customs Office. He assured that informants’ identities will remain confidential.
“Smuggling does not only cause revenue loss to the country but also threatens national security and the safety of the people,” he said.