PORT KLANG: The Customs Department has crippled a fake liquor processing syndicate here with the arrest of two men.

       Customs Central Zone assistant director-general Norlela Ismail said they also seized liquor labels, empty bottles, and 1,753 litres of liquor worth RM165,000.

       "We got a tip, conducted intelligence-gathering, and monitored the premises at Batu 9 Cheras before we conducted a raid on April 1.

       "During the raid, we found various items, including liquor labels, over 100 empty bottles, and fake Customs tax stickers," she told reporters at the Customs Department Marine Base at Port Klang on Thursday (April 4).

       She said they also arrested two local men aged 54 and 64 at the scene.

       "Our investigations revealed that the two suspects worked at the premises, which we believe were being used to process fake liquor," she said, adding that checks revealed that they had been operating for at least six months.

       She said the case was being investigated under Section 3 (1) of the Law Reform (Eradication of Illicit Samsu) Act 1976 and Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

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       Meanwhile, Norlela said they also seized 1.32million cigarette sticks worth RM987,360.

       "Based on our intelligence gathering, we checked a collapsible flatrack container at Balakong, Serdang, on March 29.

       "At first, the container looked normal, but after a thorough check, we found the cigarettes hidden within the floorboard of the container," she said, adding that this was the latest trick discovered in smuggling these contraband cigarettes.