KOTA KINABALU: A frozen chicken smuggling syndicate has been found misusing a Sabah-owned brand to evade detection by the authorities.
Sabah General Operations Force (GOF) commander Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Rani Alias (pic) said the syndicate had stacked boxes with the company's brand to hide contraband frozen chicken.
"The Sabah GOF Brigade wishes to clarify an arrest and seizure on March 22, when officers inspected a lorry suspected of transporting imported frozen chicken.
"During the inspection, the driver and attendant failed to present valid ownership documents for the goods in the vehicle," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 27).
The seized items have been confiscated for further investigation under the Sabah Animals Enactment 2015.
"All arrests and seizures have been handed over to the Veterinary Services Department for further action," SAC Rani added.
"This seizure was based on intelligence and carried out according to procedure.
"This action is necessary to protect public health and safety while enforcing food handling laws," he said.
He said images of the contraband circulating on social media had caused confusion over the state-owned firm.
"We stress that the seizure was unrelated to the company's products, and any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate," he said.
"(The police) are dedicated to working with all parties to ensure that food products on the market comply with safety and quality standards," he added.
