Attempt to smuggle 10 tonnes of rice into Singapore foiled

ISKANDAR PUTERI: An attempt to smuggled 10 tonnes of rice via the Sultan Abu Bakar Komplex (KSAB) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) has been foiled by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) here.

Johor Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said that a 32-year-old lorry driver was also arrested at about 12.30pm during a routine check.

"The delivery agent of the lorry declared that it was ferrying animal food.

"However, upon further inspection, we found 10 large sacks of rice, each weighing about one tonne, that were not declared," he said in a statement on Thursday (June 29), adding that the estimated value of the rice is about RM50,000.

"The driver has been released after giving his statement and the case has been forwarded to the Customs' Rice and Paddy Development Division for further investigation," he said.

He added that Maqis is committed to carrying out enforcement at the country's entry points to ensure the safety of agricultural products entering Malaysia.