SANDAKAN – The General Operations Force (GOF) seized approximately RM2.7 million worth of smuggled frozen chicken at a premise at BDC Light Industrial, Mile 1 ½, here yesterday.
A total of 9,782 boxes of frozen chicken, consisting of different parts, were found in three chillers.
The frozen chicken, which is estimated to be worth about RM2,722,604 is believed to have been smuggled from other countries and processing plants, which have not been approved by the Sabah Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Deputy Director of the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA), Datuk Hishamuddin Tahar, said that the police will continue to investigate the sources and modus operandi of the smuggling syndicate.
“We (the police) will also investigate other crimes that involve the forging of documents. We will examine in detail how they import the goods to prevent the repetition of frozen food smuggling,” he said during a press conference after the raid.
“We also need to consider the Halal and Haram aspect because the government is actively promoting Malaysia as the Halal hub. We must ensure that our country is clear when it comes to Halal or Haram,” he added.
DVS Director Dr Normah Yusop, who was also present, mentioned that this is not the first raid involving smuggled frozen chicken in the state.
She said that the supplies are believed to have been smuggled from China, Australia, Denmark, and Poland, adding that these chicken processing plants have not been approved by the DVS and have not been certified as Halal.
It is believed that the syndicate intended to market the chickens locally and to islands in the Philippines near Sandakan.
“This syndicate has actually existed in Sabah for a long time, but we (DVS) have taken a new approach by working with GOF in our integrated operations since last year,” said Normah.
Earlier, Hishamuddin revealed that the police’s Wildlife Crime Bureau had seized approximately RM44,281,391.70 worth of frozen food from eight raids in Sabah and two raids in Sarawak, from January to September this year. – September 28, 2023