KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle agricultural produce without valid permits into the country on Thursday (July 24).
The seizure took place at the Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point at approximately 9.40pm during an inspection of a container suspected of carrying undeclared goods.
"We discovered 200kg of galangal (Alpinia galanga) with an estimated value of RM3,200.
"The galangal was part of a larger agricultural shipment weighing over 44,000kg, but notably lacked a valid Marketing Certificate 3P issued by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. The produce was seized for further investigation," the agency said in a statement on Friday (July 25).
Importing any agricultural products without proper certification or permits is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
"We are committed to tightening security at all national border entry points to safeguard the country’s biosecurity and combat smuggling activities that may threaten Malaysia’s agricultural industry and food safety," it added.
