Authorities in Johor foiled a smuggling operation involving 671,600 lobster fry hidden in a lorry at an illegal jetty. Three men were detained.
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Region Two Marine Police Force (PPM) foiled an attempt to smuggle nearly 700,000 lobster fry worth about RM13.4 million to Singapore via sea at Tanjung Belungkor yesterday afternoon.
Region Two PPM commander ACP Noor Azman Jamal said the seizure was carried out by a team from the Johor Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the state Fisheries Department after receiving information on the smuggling activity at about 6.30 pm.
He said an inspection on an Isuzu lorry at an illegal jetty led to the discovery of the lobster fry, which were stored in white polystyrene boxes at the rear of the vehicle.
“Inspection found 124 white polystyrene boxes containing transparent plastic bags filled with an estimated 671,600 lobster fry. Three local male workers aged between 31 and 57 were also detained for failing to produce valid export documents,” he said in a statement today.
He added that the suspects and seized items, including the lorry, were taken to the state Fisheries Department office for documentation and further action, and the case is being investigated under Section 40 of the Fisheries Act 1985.
