JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 6 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has seized cocoa beans worth RM11.8 million, which were attempted to be smuggled into the country in a container from Uganda at Pasir Gudang Port here on October 3. 

In a statement, AKPS said the seizure of 637,000 kilogrammes of cocoa beans was made following an inspection by enforcement officers at 3.50 pm. 

“The goods were found to have been brought into the country with incomplete and suspicious documents, resulting in the entire consignment being detained for further investigation,” it said. 

AKPS stressed that any attempt to declare conflicting data at the country’s entry points constitutes an offence under Section 13 of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 [Act 728]. 

According to the agency, upon conviction, the parties involved may be fined up to RM50,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years, or both, while for a second or subsequent offence, they may be fined up to RM75,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding five years, or both. 

AKPS said it viewed such activities seriously and would continue to carry out enforcement at the country’s entry points. — Bernama