ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,000kg of pig carcasses into the country without valid import documents at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex on Wednesday (Jan 14).
Bukit Kayu Hitam agency commander SAC Mohd Nasarudin M. Nasir said the inspection was conducted on a cargo vehicle at about 6.30am during a Special Physical Inspection Operation on the ICQS heavy cargo vehicle route.
He said the vehicle was directed to a weighbridge, where its gross weight was recorded at 4,200 kg; however, a subsequent inspection found its net weight to be 2,200 kg. A subsequent thorough inspection revealed the illegal load: 2,000 kg of pig carcasses.
"The pork, estimated to be worth about RM66,000, was seized, as the importation of pork from Thailand is strictly prohibited due to the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF)," he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 15).
He said that the case is being investigated under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
Meanwhile, Mohd Nasarudin said on the same day, the agency also denied entry to nine foreign nationals, who attempted to enter Malaysia through the Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point.
He said the group comprised one man and five Bangladeshi women, who were denied entry because they were not permitted to enter Malaysia by land.
In addition, a Taiwanese man and an Indian man were denied entry after they were suspected of not being genuine tourists and of intending to overstay by misusing social visit passes.
"Meanwhile, a woman from Hong Kong was refused entry, as her name was listed in the department's suspect list," he said.
He added that all refusals were carried out in accordance with the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the individuals involved were instructed to return via Thailand to their respective countries of origin. – Bernama
