SANDAKAN: The Customs Department discovered cans of poisoned Volcano beer during raids on 149 premises carried out nationwide.
Its deputy director (enforcement and/compliance) Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yahya said the checks were carried out at shops in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
He said the canned beer were confiscated from one of the premises and further action would be taken.
“Of the 149 inspected premises, we only found 20 cans of Volcano alcoholic drink that was suspected to be one of the brands consumed by victims in the methanol poisoning cases.
“During the checks, we found mostly cases (offences) related to cigarettes and alcohol brands that were not in compliant with Customs’ regulations, with four companies have been prosecuted.
“No other brands of alcohol suspected of causing the death (of alcohol poisoning victims) were found during the checks,” he said in a Press conference after launching Op Pacak 2018 at Dataran Piazza Esplanade, here, today.
He however refused to reveal the location of the premises which stored the poisoned beer as investigation was ongoing.
He said the two-week long operation, in collaboration with the municipal council, was held for the first time in the district and would focus on 20 premises found to be selling smuggled cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
“This year, a total of 12 million sticks of cigarettes worth RM8 million in tax were confiscated in Sabah alone. The selling of contraband items means huge loss to the country’s revenue.
“In Sabah, we identified 60 premises selling cigarettes and alcoholic beverages illegally. We will continue monitoring the premises after the operation,” he said, adding that Op Pacak held in Kota Kinabalu last shown positive effects.
Also present were Sabah Zone Customs assistant deputy director Datuk Abdullah Jaapar and enforcement operations deputy director Dr Ahmad Taufik; and Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Peter Hii Chang Lik.
As of yesterday, 34 people died of methanol poisoning in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak since the first case was reported in Monday.