PASIR GUDANG: The Customs Department wants heavier punishment meted out to business owners found to be selling contraband cigarettes in an effort to eradicate the items nationwide.
Deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Datuk Matrang Suhaili said previously, investigations on selling and distribution of illicit cigarettes were carried out under the Customs Act 1967.
However, to enable heavier punishment and as a warning to sellers, the Customs Department will enforce the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007.
“This is to penalise errant business owners who use their foreign workers to take part in illegal business and trade such as selling contraband cigarettes,” he said after launching Operasi Outlet V 3.0 2016 at Menara Aqabah here yesterday.
Matrang added that if a foreign worker was caught selling the items, then the business owner would be liable to be charged under the Atipsom Act.
He also pointed out that under the operation, the department would work closely with other enforcement agencies. For example, local authorities where shop owners were found to be selling contraband cigarettes could revoke their business licences.
He stressed that the department was serious in combating the trade in contraband cigarettes nationwide as it cost the Government RM1.8bil (S$590 million) in revenue over the years.
Smokers now turned to various contraband cigarette brands, which were smuggled from neighbouring countries because they were cheaper.
Matrang added that since the department began its nationwide operations some six years ago, the war against illicit cigarettes had been fruitful.
He said between 2010 and the end of 2015, the department raided more than 44,000 premises and recorded 11,009 cases, seizing 1.43 billion sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM116.90mil with unpaid duties amonting to RM719.62mil.
Matrang also urged the public who have information on illicit cigarettes to immediately contact the department’s hotline at 1-800-88-8855.
