JOHOR BARU: A Malaysian was detained when RM2,000 worth of ornamental live fish were found in styrofoam boxes in the boot of his car at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here, yesterday.
In the 3pm incident, the man in his 30s, made his way to CIQ via the cars' lane from Singapore.
He did not declare the live fish packed in plastic bags and stored in the styrofoam boxes in his car.
The fish were seized by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis), after he failed to produce the required agricultural import permit.
State Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said 90 fishes of various species including 30 Bichirs (Red fish), 10 Plecos or commonly known as Suckermouth Catfish or Ikan Bandaraya, 10 Corydoras (Cone-head), and 40 Denison Barbs (Red-line Miss Kerala) were seized.
"The seizure and arrest were a collaboration effort between Maqis and the Customs Department," he added.
Importing any agricultural produce without an import permit from Maqis is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
It is punishable under Section 11(3) of the same Act, with a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or an imprisonment-term up to six-years or both.
Edie Putra said Maqis enforcement officers were stationed at all entry-points in the state to tackle agricultural-produce smuggling attempts, which includes plants, animals, carcasses, fish, and microorganisms into the country due to concerns regarding potential infestation, diseases, and contamination.