PORT KLANG: An attempt to smuggle liquor worth RM2.6mil into the country to avoid paying taxes was thwarted by the authorities recently.

       The Central Zone Royal Malaysian Customs Department, which successfully busted the bid with the detention of two men, said the raid came to light when its officers inspected six containers carrying the liquor at North Port between Feb 14 and 22.

       The syndicate had apparently tried to smuggle the drinks by using varied declaration documents for each container to evade tax.

       Upon inspection, officers found that the containers did not carry what was stipulated in the declaration forms but discovered liquor instead.

       Customs Department deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Datuk Abdullah Jaapar said the containers were confiscated for allegedly breaching Item 3, Third Schedule/Part 1 of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2017 for carrying prohibited goods.

       He said the total amount of liquor seized was estimated at RM396,000 with a tax of RM2.2mil.

       “It was the first time the agent involved was bringing in liquor and the matter is being further investigated under Section 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967,” he said at Wisma Kastam at Pulau Indah, near here, yesterday.

       Abdullah added that the Customs officials have detained two men in their 30s so far.