PETALING JAYA: Sarawak customs seized over 10 million illicit cigarettes between January and April this year, representing an estimated loss of RM7.3 million in duties and taxes.
Sarawak customs deputy director Abg Zamari Abg Nazarin said the seizure brought the total of contraband cigarettes seized since 2024 to nearly 130 million, representing a loss of about RM96 million in duties and taxes, Dayak Daily reported.
He said the illicit trade took advantage of price differences caused by high excise duties.
Abg Zamari said the illicit cigarettes are smuggled into Sarawak from neighbouring countries, via multiple routes including land and maritime channels.