Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Security Agency (AKPS) seized 348,000kg of frozen meat worth RM3.4 million from 12 containers following the failure to declare the goods within the stipulated period.
AKPS Director CP Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the seizure involved 11 containers containing frozen chicken and one containing frozen pork, with the goods originating from China and Hong Kong.
He said the 12 containers were linked to an operation in July, during which 14 containers involving goods worth nearly RM3 million were detained, but enforcement action could not initially be taken against the 12 containers as the parties involved were still within the 30-day period allowed to make the required declarations.
“They failed to make the declaration within the period given, so we decided to inspect the 12 containers,” he told a press conference, Friday. Shuhaily said inspections found the frozen food products were not permitted for import into Sabah by the State Government, while some of the containers also involved suspected fraudulent or incorrect declarations.
He said the cases were being investigated under Section 133(1) of the Customs Act 1967 for failure to make full and truthful declarations and for making false declarations or documents, with those convicted liable to a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
“The latest operation brought the number of containers detained since April to almost 40, involving seizures worth between RM6 million and RM7 million,” he added.
Shuhaily cited a similar operation in Sarawak last week, in which the Bintulu command detained almost nine containers involving suspected wrong declarations under the same provision, with the seized goods valued at nearly RM3.4 million.
He said enforcement efforts would continue nationwide, describing the operations as an important effort by federal and state agencies to safeguard the welfare and interests of the people.
Shuhaily said the term “frozen food” was broad and could include products such as meat, beans and vegetables, but physical inspection of the 12 containers confirmed that they mainly contained frozen meat.
“Authorities could not immediately establish the parties responsible for the shipments as no declaration had been made and nobody had come forward to claim the goods,” he said, adding that investigations would include identifying the agents and other parties connected to the consignments.
Shuhaily said authorities would continue examining such cases through physical inspections and information analysis to identify discrepancies and prevent similar attempts from recurring.
