AN importer has been “renting” out its alcohol import licence to syndicates, raking in almost RM1 million a month, according to sources in an anti-graft probe into certain Customs officers. 

A government source told The Malaysian Insight the company is owned by a Malaysian with a “Datuk” title and who is also well-known and influential among some Customs officers.

The company, reputed to be the largest importer of alcohol in Malaysia, charges those using its import licence between RM10,000 and RM40,000 per shipping container, the source told The Malaysian Insight.

“On the surface, the company is doing legal trade but intelligence work has revealed that it is also abusing its import licence given by the Customs Department.

“The company’s modus operandi is to charge between RM10,000 and RM40,000 for each container shipment.”

To cover its tracks, the company will process documentation to make it appear as if the inbound containers belonged to it and that the contents were legally brought into Malaysia.

It is able to import large amounts of alcohol as it holds a “special” import licence that is valid for a year, whereas normal import permits only last three months.

“The company obtained the ‘special’ licence allowing it a period of one full year to import up to 230 million litres of alcohol.

“Its special licence is valid from January 1, 2019 until December 31 with permission from the Customs Department to import all brands of alcoholic drinks, even labels that have exclusive local distributors,” the source said.

Customs investigators believe at least 100 containers have been brought in by this company in the span of one month, of which 30% of the contents are meant for syndicates.

“To date, Customs has only managed to seize about 60 containers brought in using this company’s import licence,” the source said.

Along with the “legally imported” alcohol might be counterfeit cigarettes and fake liquor ordered by the syndicates, but if these are found in the container, the company’s management will quickly move to deny the loot.

“The company owner or representative will immediately step forward to lodge a report claiming that their import licence has been abused by a third party,” the source said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has been investigating Customs officials since early this year when it began monitoring six companies suspected of smuggling alcohol and cigarettes.

Last month, it was reported that MACC was also going after several top Customs officials for allegedly being involved in smuggling.

The Malaysian Insight reported on Friday that some officers were in cahoots with a local syndicate to sell import licences for between RM100,000 and RM200,000 each.

The syndicate poses as a consultancy firm that promises applicants genuine import licences within a month, instead of the standard waiting period of three months.

Another method was the use of fake import licences issued with the help of Customs officials using fake documents. – May 21, 2019.