KOTA TINGGI: Police have arrested five men for trying to smuggle lobster larvae on a boat from a neighbouring country.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the boat was spotted near a jetty in Legaran Air Gemuruh in Sedili here at around 5.30pm on Monday (Sept 11).
"The marine intelligence team in Pengerang received the information and conducted a search at the scene.
"They discovered 50 styrofoam boxes where each of them contained 150 lobster larvae, known as seeds, packed in 24 clear plastic bags.
"The five men involved could not produce a permit for the lobster seeds and were arrested to aid in investigation," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 12), adding that the suspects were aged 21 to 43 years old.
The case is being investigated under Section 40 of the Fisheries Act 1953, which carries a minimum fine of RM500 to RM20,000 upon conviction.
Those involved in similar activities should cease immediately as we will not hesitate to take action against them.
"The public is also encouraged to report such sightings to the police," Comm Kamarul Zaman said.
He added that those with information should call the Johor police hotline at 07-2212 999 or by heading to the nearest police station.
