The Department of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) successfully blocked an attempt to smuggle 65kg worth of cockles and other seafood.
According to the director of MAQIS, Rozitas Superman, inspections have shown that the fishery products were placed in a bin already filled with fishes and that there wasn’t any import permit issued and verified by MAQIS.
“The cockles and sea urchins were brought from Indonesia and are worth around RM580 when inspected recently at the Lumut Port entrance,” she said in a media statement released yesterday (October 22).
“Importing agricultural products without permit is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728),” Rozita added.
If convicted, the offender will be fined up to RM100,000, imprisoned up to six years or face both.
“MAQIS constantly performs inspections at any international entrance to ensure that plants, animals, carcasses, fishes, microorganisms and other agricultural products imported into the country are safe from pests, diseases or contaminators,” Rozita stressed.
Rosli Mansor
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