KLANG: The Customs Department last month crippled an attempt by a syndicate trying to smuggle liquor into the country by labeling the consignment of the contraband as pineapple juice.
The case came to light when an enforcement team from the department's central zone raided a warehouse in Kampung Batu Belah here on Nov 19 and seized a total of 9,500 liters of alcohol worth RM273,800 including in unpaid duties.
Customs Department deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Datuk Sazali Mohamad said the raiding party also arrested a woman believed to be the keeper of the warehouse.
"The syndicate (involved in the smuggling of liquor) has now shifted their modus operandi by labeling the contraband as pineapple juice in their attempt to evade detection by the authorities," he told reporters here today.
In separate cases, Sazali said the department confiscated alcohol worth RM808,500 including in unpaid duties through inspection on containers coming into the country on Oct 26, Nov 29 and Dec 13.
The alcohol were seized as the transporters used false declarations and did not have the permit to transport the contraband into the country.
"The items that were seized from the containers were falsely declared as 'cotton towels', 'kitchenware' and 'general goods'.
"All the cases were being investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967," he said, adding that those with information on suspected smuggling of cigarettes, alcohol, firecrackers as well as drugs can contact with department's toll-free number at 1-800-88-8855 or by visiting the nearest Customs Department's office.