Customs seize RM360,000 worth of fish maw in smuggling bust in Sibu

A plastic bag containing fish maw seized in Sibu.

SIBU (Feb 26): The Royal Malaysian Customs have foiled an attempt to smuggle out an estimated six kilograms of fish maw worth RM360,000.

Its Sarawak director, Herman Shah Abdullah, said a team of enforcement officers, in collaboration with the Air Cargo Units personnel, seized a box containing fish maw during an inspection at Sibu MAS Cargo centre on Feb 23 at about 11.40am.

“During the inspection, the officers confiscated a box of fish maw weighing about six kilograms which was prohibited goods at Sibu MAS Cargo,’ he said in a media statement.

A male suspect, in his 40’s, was also detained for further investigation, he said.

Herman said the modus operandi was to smuggle out the fish maw to East Asian countries through courier service as fish maw has a very high demand in overseas markets for medical purposes and also as specialty dishes.

He said the suspect declared the fish maw as crackers in the consignment document aiming at avoiding detection by the enforcement agencies.

Herman said the case will be investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.

If convicted, the offender can be fined not less than 10 times the amount of the customs duty or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and not exceeding 20 times the value of the amount of Customs duty or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or not more than five years’ imprisonment or both.

“We appeal to the public to help Customs to fight smuggling especially involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs and vehicles. We also advise them not to engage in such activities.

“Smuggling is not only detrimental to the country in terms of loss of revenue. In fact it also poses a threat to national security and the welfare of the people,” Herman said.

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