JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services (Maqis) has confiscated rotten cocoa beans valued at RM3 million brought in from Nigeria at Tanjung Pelepas Port on Aug 19.
In a statement here today, Maqis said the cocoa beans weighing 253,170 kg were found in 10 containers.
“On further inspection by Maqis officers, the containers which brought the cocoa beans were already infested with worms and were also carrying pesticides.
“A stringent inspection at the country’s checkpoints to detect entry of agricultural produce would continued to be carried out to tighten biosecurity and food security in the country and to ensure no diseases or pests were brought in and damage the country’s farming industry,” said the department in a statement, here today.
The case would be investigated under Section 14 of the Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or a jail term not exceeding six years or both. — Bernama
