GEORGE TOWN: The Penang branch of the Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) seized 780 grammes of dried rat meat brought in by a passenger from Myanmar at the arrival hall of the Penang International Airport, in Bayan Lepas, near here yesterday.
Its director Zarina Ramli said the man, who is in his 30s, tried to bring in the meat without any import permit and veterinary health certificate from the exporting country.
“The purpose of this veterinary health certificate is to ensure that the goods or meat are free of diseases and viruses,” she said in a statement, here, today.
Meanwhile, she said Penang Maqis had also seized 59.8 kilogrammes of Harumanis mango worth RM2,565.68 brought in by a man from Thailand without export permit and phytosanitary certificate.
Zarina said the case was an offence under Section 11(1) of the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
The offenders could be liable to a fine of not more than RM100,000 or be jailed for up to six years or both, if convicted, she added. -– BERNAMA