A man from Malaysia will be facing 5 years in prison after he was caught smuggling more than 6 million cigarettes in Australia. According to the Australian Border Force, the cigarettes were from Malaysia with an alleged duty evasion amounting to A$4 million (about RM11,619,400).
The man pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Wednesday (20 February) in the Melbourne County Court. On top of that, he was ineligible to apply for parole for the first three years.
A statement released by ABF, as quoted by MalayMail, stated that,
“Following his release from prison, the invidividual will be removed from Australia.”
Another Malaysian who was also part of the smuggling syndicate pleaded guilty as well but will only know his sentencing in April.
Source: Daily Mail
Both of them were caught trying to escape from the country on 13th August 2017. Three days before they were apprehended, ABF arrested another three Malaysians who were unpacking the tobacco in two factories. ABF elaborated,
“All three were subsequently arrested and charged under the Customs Act 1901, with possession of tobacco products, knowing that the goods were imported with the intention of defrauding revenue.”
The Australian Border Force and the Australian Government are committed to detect, stop, and destroy organised syndicates involved in smuggling. We applaud this effort, and hopefully, this will be a reminder to anyone who has the intention to be part of such heinous acts.
Also read: MAS Flight Attendant Caught Smuggling RM5.6 Million of Drugs in Melbourne Airport
