SEPANG: A 52-year-old Turkish man was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after he was found attempting to smuggle 10 live Discus fish out of the country without any valid documents.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) said the arrest was made following an information-sharing effort and cooperation between the KLIA AKPS officers and the Aviation Security Team (AVSEC).
They detected a suspicious piece of luggage at the Satellite Terminal Departure Gate, Terminal 1, at about 6.26pm on Friday (Oct 10).
"Further checks revealed that the luggage contained the 10 live fish carried by the passenger, who was scheduled to depart for Doha, Qatar," the agency said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 11).
"Document verification showed that the individual had failed to produce a valid export permit and supporting documents, including a licence from the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and a health certificate from the Fisheries Department," the agency added.
All the fishes were seized for further action under the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
"We will take stern action against any individual attempting to export or import live animals without proper documentation.
"Such measures are crucial to safeguarding the nation’s biosecurity and border safety," the agency added.
