RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized ornamental fish and Albino tortoises, worth about RM73,000, in an operation here yesterday.
However, no one was arrested in the 3am operation at Hassan Merah illegal jetty.
GOF Ninth Battalion commanding officer Superintendent Nor Azizan Yusof said the ornamental fish and tortoises were found inside a four-wheel-drive vehicle parked near Golok riverbank.
"A GOF team saw a 4WD vehicle parked along the riverbank while conducting normal surveillance along the area.
"After checking the vehicle, they found several gunny sacks and plastic packages containing the 545 various types of or ornamental fish and 20 tortoises," he said in a statement.
Nor Azizan said initial investigations showed that the fish and the tortoises were smuggled into the state from Thailand.
"We suspect the smuggled items will be distributed to local markets," he added.
He said the vehicle, valued about RM17,000, was also seized.
He said the case has been handed over to the state Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service Department (Maqis) for further action.
Importing ornamental plants without a valid permit from Maqis is an offence under Section 11 (1) of the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) which can be punished under Section 11 (3) of the same Act.
If convicted, one could be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed a maximum six years, or both.