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LABUAN: Sabah police have identified at least three major unions behind the smuggling from Labuan duty-free to mainland Sabah.
Sabah Police Commissioner Hazani Ghazali said one of the unions was crippled last week.
He said smuggling from Labuan had gradually evolved and become a serious problem.
“The unions smuggled cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and chicken wings from the island to the mainland. Cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are sold in rural areas. It’s a matter of time before we have the brains, ”he said today at a press conference here.
On January 1, a new government ruling enters into force whereby cigarettes will be taxed on all islands or tax-free zones.
“But the smuggling of alcoholic beverages to the mainland and Brunei must also be addressed,” he said.
Deputy Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said cigarettes are one of the most smuggled items in the country.
