BUTTERWORTH: Half a tonne of dried kaffir lime leaves from Thailand were seized at Butterworth Wharf’s warehouse here.
They came in without being cleared of phyto-pathogens, fungus and chemicals.
Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) Penang director Zarina Ramli said the leaves, weighing about 500kg and worth RM18,569, were loaded into boxes and imported without a permit.
“The shipment was found during an inspection by Maqis officers in a container from Thailand on Friday.
“Checks found that the goods were imported without valid documents from Maqis,” she said yesterday.
Maqis is a Federal agency which ensures that imported food items have the necessary clearances with certifiable tests done before being allowed into the national market.
Kaffir lime (limau purut) leaves are widely used in cooking and add the defining aroma to Thai tomyam soups. The leaves are also needed for spicing up many Indian and Malay curries.
The shipment has been seized pending investigation under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or up to six years jail, or both, if convicted.
They came in without being cleared of phyto-pathogens, fungus and chemicals.
Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) Penang director Zarina Ramli said the leaves, weighing about 500kg and worth RM18,569, were loaded into boxes and imported without a permit.
“The shipment was found during an inspection by Maqis officers in a container from Thailand on Friday.
“Checks found that the goods were imported without valid documents from Maqis,” she said yesterday.
Maqis is a Federal agency which ensures that imported food items have the necessary clearances with certifiable tests done before being allowed into the national market.
Kaffir lime (limau purut) leaves are widely used in cooking and add the defining aroma to Thai tomyam soups. The leaves are also needed for spicing up many Indian and Malay curries.
The shipment has been seized pending investigation under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or up to six years jail, or both, if convicted.
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