By: L.N. Reklai
January 19, 2018 (Koror, Palau) Bureau of Customs & Border Protection disposed of 270 seized bottles of different brands of soju by opening the bottles and pouring them outside of Customs Main Office in Malakal on Friday. These and other items were forfeited and seized as contraband over the past year.
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“Due to lack of space and high risk of storing such items, we have no choice but to conduct an inventory and clean out the container of any high risk and valuable items such as liquor, beer and cigarettes,” stated Director of Customs John Tarkong Jr.
In addition to the 270 bottles of soju, there were 45 bottles of concealed soju that were disguised in 1.5 liters Fiji plastic water bottles. These were seized and disposed as well.
Other items that were seized and also disposed include 5 cases of chinese beer and 42 cartons of cigarettes such malboro cigarettes, chinese cigarettes.
Due to lack of good and proper storage space or warehouse, Director Tarkong had to dispose all of the seized items stored in the Customs container.The container is rat and roach infested and falling apart . [/restrict]