Customs seize smuggled pork from Brazil worth RM2.7m
Published on: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
By: Bernama
Norlela Ismail said the syndicate that imported the meat declared the containers as furniture accessories. (Bernama pic)
PORT KLANG: The customs department has seized four containers containing 96,000kg of pork, worth an estimated RM2.7 million.
Customs department central zone assistant director-general Norlela Ismail said the meat was seized by the enforcement division in an operation conducted on Feb 13 at Northport.
ADVERTISEMENT
She said an inspection found that the pork, from Brazil, did not have an import permit from the Malaysian quarantine and inspection services department (Maqis) for use in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
“The syndicate’s modus operandi was to declare the containers as furniture accessories on a manifest form to avoid detection,” she said at a press conference here.
In separate raids, Norlela said they also seized a container from Hong Kong at Westports containing 17,000 airsoft pistols, with an estimated value of RM4.4 million.
“The items did not have an import permit from the police. Their trade value is estimated at RM1.8 million and the tax involved amounts to RM2.6 million,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
In five other raids, between Feb 5 and 8, Norlela said the Selangor customs department foiled attempts to smuggle firecrackers involving a total value of RM694,000.
The raids in Klang and Port Klang, as well as at Masjid Tanah, Melaka, saw the department seize 2,270 boxes of firecrackers. They also arrested two local warehouse owners.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a different raid at the Northport, the department also seized 664 Android television units and 1,900 ceiling fan units for not having a permit or approval from Sirim Bhd and the Energy Commission.
“The television units were declared as mosaic tiles. They were detected when the containers underwent image scanning,” she said.
In raids conducted on Feb 9 and 13, the department also seized liquor, amounting to RM4.63 million, kept in five containers at Northport here.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
