KOTA TINGGI: Marine police seized RM3.31 million worth of lobster seedlings when foiling an attempt to smuggle them out of the country yesterday.
Acting district police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Syamsuri Mohamad said the marine police intelligence unit, acting on intelligence and surveillance, intercepted and halted a fibre boat around noon.
During a thorough inspection on the vessel, marine police uncovered 46 foam boxes filled with lobster seedlings.
Syamsuri said, despite the attempt to smuggle the seedlings out of the country, police investigations revealed the syndicate behind the illicit operations had sourced the seedlings from foreign suppliers for both the local and international market distribution.
Police arrested the 49-year-old local boatman and seized the boat which had a 1.4hp outboard engine.
The total seizure is valued at RM3.55 million
The case is being investigated under Section 40 of the Fisheries Act 1985, which pertains to the illegal import, export, or transportation of fishery products without a permit.