JOHOR BARU: A driver of a Singapore-registered car has been detained for attempting to smuggle freshwater prawn (udang galah) seeds into the country.
The vehicle was detained by the Johor Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) and Johor Customs.
Johor Maqis, in a statement, said the car was detained at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) Gelang Patah on Tuesday (April 18) at 1am.
“Upon inspection, we found about 100 prawn seeds worth RM400 hidden in four boxes which had been modified,’’ said the statement.
It said the prawn seeds were brought in without a Maqis import permit and health certificate using a private vehicle on the import lane (car/passenger lane).
“Further investigation showed that the driver who attempted to smuggle the prawn seeds did not have documents to bring in the crustaceans,’’ said the statement.
Maqis said the biosecurity control of the prawn seeds into Malaysia was to ensure the country’s agricultural industry is well-protected.
“The smuggled prawn seeds might carry diseases with them which will threaten our aquamarine sector,’’ said the statement.
The suspect has been detained for further action and to assist with investigation.
It is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) to import any type of agricultural produce without a Maqis import permit and punishable under Section 11(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, the offender can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not exceeding six years, or both.
