PORT KLANG: A syndicate's attempt to smuggle liquor into the country and evade more than RM2mil in duties has been foiled by the Customs Department.

       The syndicate's attempts came to light when Customs officers inspected six containers at North Port between Feb 14 and Feb 22.

       The syndicate had apparently tried to smuggle in the liquor by falsely declaring the contents of each container to evade tax.

       Upon inspection, however, the officers found that the containers did not hold what was stated in the declaration forms, but liquor instead.

       Customs deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Datuk Abdullah Jaapar said the containers were detained for breaching Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2017 on prohibited goods.

       Abdullah told reporters at Wisma Kastam at Pulau Indah near here Friday (March 4) that the total value of liquor seized was estimated at RM396,000 while the duties and taxes would come up to RM2.2mil.

       "It is the first time the agent involved has brought in liquor. The matter is being investigated under Section 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967," he said.

       He added that two men in their 30s have been detained so far.

       He urged members of the public to alert the Customs Department to any smuggling actvities by calling its toll-free line 1-800-88-8855 or nearest Customs office.