An attempt to smuggle hundreds of thousands of lobster fry worth RM13 million to a neighbouring country was foiled in an early morning raid by the Marine Police Force (PPM) Region Two Johor at an illegal jetty in Tanjung Belungkor.
PPM Region Two Johor commander, Assistant Commissioner Noor Azman Jamal, said officers from the Johor marine intelligence unit, in collaboration with the Johor State Fisheries Department, carried out a raid on a lorry at the jetty at about 6.30am.
“Three men aged between 31 and 57 were arrested at the scene. An inspection of the lorry uncovered 124 white polystyrene boxes containing an estimated 671,600 lobster fry believed to be intended for smuggling into Singapore.
“Initial questioning revealed the suspects planned to transport the lobster fry to the neighbouring country via sea. They also failed to produce any valid permit or documentation. The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM13,582,000,” he said in a statement.
Noor Azman added that the case is being investigated under Section 40 of the Fisheries Act 1985.
