KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM12.4mil worth of frozen meat has been seized in a series of raids in Kajang here.
The operation, codenamed "Ops Taring Chiller", was conducted by the wildlife crime control bureau/special investigation intelligence (WCB) of the Bukit Aman internal security and public order department on May 14 and 15.
Its director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said authorities raided several locations around Kajang, including warehouses, logistics vehicles and distribution networks linked to the syndicate.
"We detained five men, comprising one local and four Myanmar nationals aged between 21 and 43.
He said the premises raised was used for the illegal storage, sale and distribution of frozen food products in violation of Section 5 of the Animals Act 1953.
Among the items seized were 4,840 cartons of frozen pork, 410 cartons of imported frozen chicken wings and 115 cartons of frozen ducks.
"Police seized 167,143.72kg of frozen food products valued at RM12.4mil.
"We also uncovered several other offences during the operation, including immigration violations involving foreign workers without valid work permits and failure to produce valid travel documents," he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman on Monday (May 18).
Comm Mohd Yusri said the team also detected offences related to halal certification and labelling, including the use of unrecognised halal markings on imported products as well as the mixing of halal and non-halal products.
"The premises was also operating outside the scope of its licensed business activities under Kajang Municipal Council by-laws.
"The premises had been operating for about four years and was registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) until April 5, 2031," he added.
However, checks found that the company did not possess a valid licence to carry out frozen food storage or processing activities, Comm Mohd Yusri said.
"We believe the frozen meats were imported from various counties including China, Brazil and Argentina and smuggled through the south o the peninsula.
"We are investigating whether the frozen meats were distributed to local hypermarkets and restaurants," he said.
