Perak: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Perak seized various brands of liquor and beer suspected to be duty-unpaid, valued at RM313,298.80, at two separate premises in Banting, Selangor, and Simpang, Taiping, on July 17 and 20.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak JKDM director Mohd Nadzri Ariffin reported that in the Banting case, the seized liquor was estimated to be worth RM221,463.12, with duties and taxes amounting to RM48,277.92. The raid, conducted at 8.45 am, uncovered various brands of duty-unpaid liquor, including those labeled 'Malaysia Duty Not Paid' (MDNP), which are restricted to duty-free zones, along with liquor bearing suspected counterfeit tax stamps. A 70-year-old local man was detained during the operation for further investigation.

Mohd Nadzri further detailed the second case in Taiping, where various brands of beer suspected to be duty-unpaid, valued at RM43,557.76 including duties and taxes, were seized. The beer was estimated at RM17,131.38, while the duties and taxes totaled RM26,426.38. The raid, conducted at about 3 pm by the same enforcement team, revealed various brands of beer lacking valid customs tax stamps as required under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.

Authorities are currently tracking down the owner of the residential premise involved in the Taiping case to assist in the investigation. Both cases are under investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. JKDM has urged the public with any information regarding the case or related smuggling activities to contact the JKDM toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or to report at the nearest JKDM office.