JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) has detained a consignment of New Zealand cheese worth almost RM40,000 at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine here.
Johor Maqis director Nur Afifah A. Rahman said that the seizure was made following a routine inspection carried out by enforcement officers around 7pm on Friday (Jan 29).
"Following checks, we found 2,080kg of cheese worth RM39,712, which did not obtain a legal health certificate from the country of origin which is required under the Maqis import permit.
"The cheese was meant for the local market," she said in a statement here on Saturday (Jan 30), adding that the 39-year-old lorry driver was released after his statement was recorded.
Nur Afifah said the case was being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services 2011 for not adhering to the import regulations as stipulated within the permit, licence or certification.
She said the offence carries a fine of not more than RM100,000 or six years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction, or a fine of RM150,000, or seven years in jail, or both, for repeat offenders.
Did you find this article insightful?
59% readers found this article insightful
