Smuggling from Labuan becoming serious, say police

 

Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said the smuggling of alcoholic drinks to the mainland and Brunei has to also be addressed. (Bernama pic)

LABUAN: Sabah police have identified at least three major syndicates actively behind smuggling from duty-free Labuan to mainland Sabah.

Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said one of the syndicates was crippled last week.

He said smuggling from Labuan had evolved gradually and become a serious issue.

“The syndicates smuggled cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and chicken wings from the island to the mainland. The cigarettes and alcoholic drinks are for sale in rural areas. It is a matter of time before we get the masterminds,” he said at a press conference here today.

A new government ruling comes into effect on Jan 1 by which cigarettes will be subjected to taxes at all duty-free islands or duty-free zones.

“But the smuggling of alcoholic drinks to the mainland and Brunei has to be addressed also,” he said.

Deputy Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said cigarettes are one of the most smuggled items in the country. - FMT