KUANTAN: Several flight passengers' attempts to bring in pork among other agricultural and animal products have been thwarted by the state Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis).
The department said the daily inspection at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport here found that several passengers from Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam were trying to bring in a total of 120kg of pork, pork sausage, duck meat, oranges and bark.
These were hidden in the passengers' suitcases in an attempt to bypass Maqis inspections, said the department in a statement, adding that five passengers from two flights on Thursday (April 20) were involved.
"Maqis inspectors in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs succeeded in breaking the attempt to bring in agricultural and animal products that did not have any importation documents such as Maqis import permit, halal and health certificates.
"The act of importing any type of agricultural and animal products without a Maqis import permit is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) which is punishable under Section 11(3) of the same Act.
"If convicted, the offender can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six years or both," said the department.
Maqis advised all plane passengers from foreign countries who wish to bring in agricultural and animal products into the country to always comply with all the rules and conditions.
