ISKANDAR PUTERI: State Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) enforcement officers intercepted an attempt to smuggle RM745 worth of live fish to Singapore via the Sultan Abu Bakar complex at the Second Link, yesterday.
Maqis enforcement officers stationed at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex conducted a routine inspection on a lorry at 3.45am.
A chiller container hidden between several other containers was found among the 24-year-old lorry driver's cargo.
Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said RM745 worth of undeclared live fish without permits were found in the concealed container.
"The lorry driver and his 22-year-old assistant are believed to have attempted to conceal the container in an effort to avoid detection.
"The fish meant for Singapore was not issued with a Maqis export permit, and was transported through the export lorry lane at ICQS," he said, today.
He added that exporting fish without proper declaration is a violation of Malaysia's stringent agricultural export regulations.
Exporting any agricultural product without a Maqis export permit constitutes an offence under Section 11(2) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 [Act 728].
Upon conviction, offenders can face fines up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to six years or both under Section 11(3) of the same act.
The driver and his assistant's statements were recorded before they were released.