JOHOR BARU: The Johor Royal Customs Department thwarted an alcohol bootlegging syndicate here on April 2. It had been operating from a terrace house in Skudai.
Customs Department deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Datuk Sazali Mohamad said based on intelligence gathered, the department enforcement officers stormed into the premises, believed used to manufacture the bootlegged liquor.
However, it is believed the syndicate members caught wind of the raid and had abandoned the house.
Sazali said barrels containing bootlegged alcohol, and used legitimate liquor bottles with its caps, labels and bottling equipment, were found in the house, which was in violation of the Excise Act 1976.
Also found in the house were forged Customs' banderol or seal stamps. They are used to indicate the alcoholic beverage were legal and their duties and taxes paid.
"The estimated value of the seized alcohol is RM41,391, while the estimated duties involved amount to RM111,720.
"The total estimated value and duties involved in the seizure amount to RM153,111," he said, adding the equipment worth RM5,000 were also seized.
Investigations to trace the house owner are underway.