(Johor Bahru, 21st) Criminals are suspected of using Malaysia as a transit point in an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of lobster seedlings from Indonesia to Singapore by water, but were foiled by law enforcement. Authorities seized lobster seedlings and transportation equipment worth about RM2.6 million.
In a statement on Saturday (June 20), Mohamad Najib, Acting Director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's Johor Tanjung Sedili District, said law enforcement officers, while patrolling at Tanjung Belungkor jetty in Desaru on Friday (19th) at 6:46am, spotted a suspicious boat and immediately intercepted it for inspection. Officers discovered 113 polystyrene boxes on board, each containing a large quantity of lobster seedlings, believed to be destined for smuggling into Singapore.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the lobster seedlings were brought in from Indonesia, using Malaysia as a transit point and with Singapore as the intended destination.
Apart from the lobster seedlings, authorities also seized a fiberglass boat and an outboard engine, with a total value of about RM2.68 million. The statement did not mention if any suspects were arrested.
Mohamad Najib said the eastern waters of Johor have been identified as a hotspot for smuggling activities, and authorities will continue to strengthen enforcement and intelligence gathering to crack down on the smuggling of high-value fishery resources such as lobster seedlings.
He added that lobster seedlings are of extremely high commercial value and in great international demand. Such smuggling activities not only cause economic losses to the country, but may also undermine marine conservation efforts, seriously affecting the sustainable development of national marine resources.
In April this year, Johor marine police also uncovered a case of attempted lobster seedling smuggling to Singapore via Johor waterways during an enforcement operation around Tanjung Belungkor ferry terminal, arresting three men on site and seizing lobster seedlings worth as much as RM13.4 million.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the lobster seedlings were brought in from Indonesia, using Malaysia as a transit point and with Singapore as the intended destination.
Apart from the lobster seedlings, authorities also seized a fiberglass boat and an outboard engine, with a total value of about RM2.68 million. The statement did not mention if any suspects were arrested.
Mohamad Najib said the eastern waters of Johor have been identified as a hotspot for smuggling activities, and authorities will continue to strengthen enforcement and intelligence gathering to crack down on the smuggling of high-value fishery resources such as lobster seedlings.
He added that lobster seedlings are of extremely high commercial value and in great international demand. Such smuggling activities not only cause economic losses to the country, but may also undermine marine conservation efforts, seriously affecting the sustainable development of national marine resources.
In April this year, Johor marine police also uncovered a case of attempted lobster seedling smuggling to Singapore via Johor waterways during an enforcement operation around Tanjung Belungkor ferry terminal, arresting three men on site and seizing lobster seedlings worth as much as RM13.4 million.