KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized 164,800kg of beef and pork worth an estimated RM2.6 million in three separate raids.
JKDM Central Zone assistant director-general Norlela Ismail said the seizures were made during an operation carried out from December 27, 2023, until January 17.
In the first raid conducted on December 27, JKDM foiled an attempt to smuggle in frozen meat, believed to be pork, through two containers from a neighbouring country at Northport, Port Klang.
An inspection found the frozen food weighing 56,000kg, with an estimated RM840,000 in unpaid taxes.
“In the second raid, the JKDM seized 24,300kg of frozen beef for not having an import licence and for trying to smuggle the meat by using a container heading south of the peninsula from the Westport, Port Klang,” she said in a statement today.
The third raid, on a warehouse in Jalan Sungai Lalang, Semenyih, led to the biggest seizure, with 85,500kg of frozen pork worth an estimated RM1.54 million found in three containers.
“An inspection of the three containers and the questioning of the two Myanmar workers, who were detained, led to the discovery of the suspected frozen pork meat, which has not been taxed,” Norlela said
The syndicate involved did not have an import permit and misused the facility of transferring goods by land as provided by the JKDM.
“These cases are being investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for keeping or possessing uncustomed or prohibited goods,” she said.
— Bernama
