JOHOR BARU: The Marine Police Region II foiled an attempt to smuggle lobster fry worth more than RM13.5mil to a neighbouring country following a raid at an illegal jetty at Tanjung Belungkor in Pengerang.
Marine Police Region II commander Asst Comm Noor Azman Jamal said the operation was carried out at about 6.30pm on Friday (April 24) after the force received intelligence on the smuggling activity.
He said a team from the Johor Marine Intelligence Unit, working together with the Johor Fisheries Department, raided a lorry parked at the illegal jetty.
“During the raid, three local men, aged between 31 and 57 years old, who were at the location were detained for further investigation.
“Checks on the grey lorry uncovered 125 white polystyrene boxes containing transparent plastic packets filled with lobster fry,” he said here on Saturday (April 25).
ACP Noor Azman added that initial investigations found that the suspects planned to smuggle the lobster fry out of the country by sea.
“The detained individuals failed to produce any valid permit or documents for the possession and transportation of the marine species,” he said.
ACP Noor Azman said all three suspects and the seized items were handed over to the Johor Fisheries Department for documentation and further action.
He added that the total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM13.5mil and the case is being investigated under Section 40 of the Fisheries Act 1985 for exporting fisheries resources without a valid permit.
ACP Noor Azman said the marine police would continue to intensify enforcement efforts to curb the illegal import and export of lobster fry.
He said such smuggling activities could cause losses to the country and threaten the sustainability of marine resources.
ACP Noor Azman also urged the public to continue channelling information to the marine police on any activities that violate the law to help safeguard national security and public order.
