11,700kg of frozen fish from Vietnam seized
LABUAN: The Department of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Maqis) Labuan seized a 20-footer container containing 11,700kg of frozen fish believed to be imported illegally from Vietnam.
The Tilapia and Pangasius fishes weighing 2,000kg and 9,700kg respectively and worth about RM66,600.11, are still inside the container and being detained for further investigation at Labuan Liberty Port.
Maqis Labuan director Nazrul Azman Mat Rahim said the container which was detained on July 25 at about 2.30pm, was imported by a local importer without proper documentation.
"Based on our investigation, the importer has violated the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) and Rules," he said in a statement after conducting an inspection at the Labuan Liberty Port here yesterday.
He said the consignment, which violated the import and export of goods in Malaysia, was discovered based on intelligence efforts at the Labuan Liberty Port entry point.
"The importer has violated his import permit which is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Maqis Act 2011," he said.
He said the offender, who would be charged in court, was liable to a fine of not more than RM100,000 or not more than six years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
Azman said a total of seven cases were recorded since 2015 with six cases resolved and the importers concerned were compounded.
"We will not tolerate any wrongdoings of the importers, especially cases involving import permits, and our enforcement focus will also be on the possibility of containers storing halal and nonhalal frozen meat together.
"We thank the close cooperation of Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (Labuan port operator) on the seizure of the consignment," Azman added.
He also disclosed the seizure of three seedlings of 'Tin Trees' that were brought in illegally into the island via Labuan Airport by a passenger from Peninsular.
"The case will be referred to the Labuan Agriculture Department," he said.