PORT KLANG, Feb 20 — The Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized four containers containing pork weighing 96,000kg, with an estimated total seizure value of 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 February 13 at the North Port.
An inspection found the pork from Brazil did not have an import permit from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) for use in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.
“The modus operandi used by the syndicate was declaring the containers as furniture accessories through a manifest form to avoid detection,” she said at a press conference today.
In several raids, the department also seized a container from Hong Kong at the West Port, containing 17,000 units of airsoft pistols, with an estimated RM4.4 million in value and tax.
“The inspection found the items were believed not to have an import permit from the Royal Malaysian Police. The trade value is estimated at RM1.8 million, and the tax involved amounts to RM2.6 million,” Norlela said.
Selangor Customs also foiled an attempt to smuggle firecrackers without a permit, which were not in compliance with the conditions outlined by the Home Ministry, in five separate raids between February 5 and February 8, involving RM694,000 in value and taxes.
Through raids carried out in Klang and Port Klang as well as at Masjid Tanah in Melaka, the department seized 2,270 boxes of firecrackers and arrested two local warehouse owners.
In a different raid at the North Port, it 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 (ST).
“The television units were declared as mosaic tiles before detection through image scanning. This act showed the intention of smuggling because the items were declared as other goods,” she said.
The department also seized liquor, worth RM4.63 million in value of goods and taxes, kept in five containers at North Port in raids conducted on February 9 and February 13.
Norlela said all the cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
— Bernama
