BUTTERWORTH: The Malaysian Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) Penang seized 19.2 tonnes of Arabica green coffee beans worth RM517,700 at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) here on Sunday.
Maqis Penang director Zarina Ramli said the seizure was made during a routine inspection at 4.45 pm at the terminal.
Following an inspection, they found 640 sacks of coffee beans brought in a container from Kenya.
"Checks on the delivery details showed that it did not comply with the import permit requirements.
"All the coffee beans, estimated at RM517,700, have been seized and are being investigated for non-compliance with the 3P Certificate (grading, packaging and labelling)," she said today.
The case is being investigated under Section 15 (1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000, if convicted.
"It also provides for imprisonment not exceeding six years or both.
"We take serious steps on issues involving food safety, disease control and pest risk that can threaten the country's agricultural industry," she said.
Meanwhile, in SEPANG, Maqis thwarted an attempt to smuggle 197kg worth of lobster from Indonesia at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) cargo area on Saturday.
Selangor Maqis director Dr Tarmisal Alimin said the attempt to smuggle in the lobsters, valued at RM33,000, was foiled by cargo inspection officers about 4pm while conducting a routine screening.
"Checks on the consignment found that the lobsters did not have any valid Maqis import permit. Importing lobsters without the Maqis import permit is an offence under Section 11(1) of Act 728 (Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011) which can lead to a fine of not more than RM100,000 or a maximum six years' jail, or both," he said in a statement.
Tarmisal said Maqis' checks on bio import materials especially animals, plants and carcasses in and out of the country are thorough as it involves the nation's biosecurity and food safety.