MACC probing 'halal' meat smuggling cartel case

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a cartel which had been caught smuggling imported meat.

The commission said the focus of the investigation is to look into allegations that the Customs Department forms to declare imported goods had been forged.

“We will also be looking to see if there are corrupt practices or power abuse among the staff of agencies which allowed for the smuggling activities to take place, ” said a source on Monday (Dec 21).

Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and called on those with information to come forward.

He said the MACC is working alongside the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, the Veterinary and Customs Department as well as the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) Department over the case.

The investigation is being carried out under Section 16 and Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

Authorities had recently busted a cartel that had been smuggling meat from Ukraine, Brazil, Argentina and China, and then repackaging it with the halal logo.

A raid was carried out at a warehouse in Senai, Johor, where 1,500 tonnes of frozen meat worth RM30mil were seized.

The cartel, believed to have been operating for a few years, had allegedly been using the warehouse as a location to make fake labels and stamps, which were then pasted on the packages of meat before being sold in the local market.

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COURTS CRIME

MACC, Smuggling, Imported meat, Halal logo, Customs Department, Investigation, Cartel