KUALA LUMPUR: Royal Malaysian Customs Department officers across Selangor have confiscated 530,000 litres or RM4.3 million worth of alcohol brought into the country illegally since January.
The Star Online reported annual figures released by Selangor Customs director Datuk Badaruddin Mohamed Rafik.
He said Ops Outlet raids on 345 stores, plus 24 containers, bonded trucks and warehouses had netted almost enough liquor to fill two standard size swimming pools.
“We have arrested 111 and 96 were compounded, producing more than RM200,000 in fines,” Badaruddin said in a statement.
“Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit alcohol market, which costs the country millions of ringgit every year.
“This is a theft from the taxpayers and undermines legitimate traders.
“We strive to enhance our enforcement through joint collaboration with the Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers and the Confederation of Malaysian Brewers Berhad (CMBB), as well as with other enforcement agencies.”