KUBANG PASU - The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) Department of Kedah State foiled an attempt to smuggle seahorses out of Malaysia to Thailand on Wednesday.
Kedah Maqis Director Hisham Abu Bakar said the inspection took place at 4pm in cooperation with the Customs Department and the Enforcement Division of the Kedah State Fisheries Department.
"The inspection team discovered 90 kilogrammes of seahorses, estimated to be worth up to RM180,000.
"Further inspection found that the parties involved did not have an export permit from Maqis," he said.
Hisham said the case is being investigated under Section 11(2) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728), which can be punished under Section 11(3) of the same act with a sentence of up to six years in prison, a fine of up to RM100,000, or both.
He added that Maqis will continue to work with other agencies to strengthen law enforcement actions and ensure that the country's plants, carcasses, fish, and agricultural produce are free from the threat of pests and infectious diseases and comply with all regulations.