SIBU: A mini-market operator has been fined RM200,000 in default six months' jail for having contraband beer in his possession.

       On Monday (Nov 1), Magistrate Mohd Syukri Mokhtar also ordered the accused, Justino Lebun, 44, to pay Customs duty of RM793 in default two weeks' imprisonment.

       According to the facts of the case, at about 10.25am on Aug 17 last year, a group of Customs officers raided a mini-market at Jalan Tutus, Panasu here.

       At the shop, the group was met by a man who said he was an employee.

       The man later called up the operator of the mini-market to inform him of the Customs officers' presence.

       Upon investigation, the officers found several cartons of beer of assorted brands on the premises. The beer was seized for investigation and safekeeping at the Customs Department office here.

       It was later found that Justino was the owner of the beer with a value of RM721 and import duty of RM2,396.

       The accused failed to prove that Customs duty on the beer had been paid for. There was also no tax stamp on the beer, a requirement under the Third Schedule (Part 2) Customs (Prohibition of Import) Order 2017.

       The accused had to serve the jail sentence after he could not pay the fines.