JOHOR BARU: A brazen attempt by smugglers to bring in 17,000 bottles of liquor by declaring them as “health” drinks was foiled by the Johor Customs Department.

       Its director Sazali Mohammad said that the consignment was declared as mineral nutrient mixture liquid in an attempt to avoid being identified by the authorities.

       He said that the items were seized from a trailer following an inspection at the Kempas Plaza Tol (northbound) at about 9am on Oct 8.

       “We managed to intercept the vehicle right after the driver paid the toll charges at the plaza.

       “When checked, we found various alcoholic drinks hidden in the vehicle, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country,” he told a press conference at the Johor Customs Department headquarters here yesterday.

       He said the liquor was estimated to be valued at RM324,720 while the unpaid duty and tax charges came up to about RM1.7mil.

       “The lorry, which is worth about RM100,000, has been seized while the 56-year-old driver and his 34-year-old assistant have been arrested to assist investigations under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967,” he said, adding that both of them were locals.

       In a separate case, Sazali said that the department also seized 9,364 units of luxury car spare parts on another lorry on Sept 30 at Jalan Bertingkat Skudai near Kampung Pasir here at about 5.30pm.

       “The lorry was parked at the side of the road by a 51-year-old driver.

       “Upon inspection, it was found that the amount and value of the spare parts declared was inaccurate and confusing to avoid having to pay high taxes,” he said.

       He added that the spare parts seized were worth about RM509,076 including taxes, while the lorry was worth RM80,000.