BAYAN LEPAS: The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) foiled an attempt to smuggle 15kg of silk worms from Vietnam into the country today.
Maqis said checks conducted on a passenger's baggage at the Penang International Airport here led to the discovery of the silk worms, which were brought in without an import permit.
"When we checked the baggage belonging to the passenger from Vietnam, we found the 15kg of silk worms.
"We have confiscated the silk worms under Section 11(1) of the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
"Any attempt to smuggle in such items without approval and a valid import permit is an offence," said Maqis today.
It added that, if convicted, one can be fined a maximum of RM100,000 or face a maximum of six years imprisonment, or both.