Border agency seizes falsely declared frozen chicken, pork worth RM3.42m at Sepanggar Port

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 7 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has seized 12 containers carrying frozen animal products worth an estimated RM3.42 million at Sepanggar Port.

The seizure was the result of an enforcement operation targeting false import declarations.

AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the seizure involved 348,000kg of frozen chicken and pork believed to have been brought into the country through declarations that did not match the cargo.

He said the integrated operation, dubbed Ops Ribat Sepanggar 1/2026, began on May 19 with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Sabah State Health Department, Department of Veterinary Services Sabah, and the port authority.

“The 12 containers were identified before being inspected at Sepanggar Port on July 16. They contained frozen chicken and pork believed to have been imported using inconsistent declarations,” he told a press conference at Sepanggar Port here today.

According to him, the seized products are believed to have originated from China and Hong Kong.

The goods were confiscated for investigation under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for allegedly failing to make a full and accurate declaration and for submitting false or materially inaccurate documents.

“If convicted, offenders face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both,” he said.

Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS viewed seriously any attempt to smuggle goods into the country through false declarations or breaches of import regulations, adding that the agency would continue strengthening inspections at the nation’s entry points through joint enforcement operations with relevant agencies. — The Borneo Post