BUTTERWORTH, Jan 19 — The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) seized 19.2 tonnes of Arabica green coffee beans worth RM517,700 which did not meet import permit conditions at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT).
Penang MAQIS director Zarina Ramli said the department found 640 gunny sacks of coffee beans when its officer inspected a container from Kenya at 4.45 pm last Sunday.
“All the coffee beans are being investigated for not complying with 3P certificate (grading, packaging and labelling),” she said in a statement here today.
The case is being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728), and those found guilty will be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed for up to six years, or both,
Zarina said MAQIS will continue to take serious steps on issues related to food safety, disease control and risk of pest entry, which can affect the country’s agriculture industry.
She added MAQIS is committed to ensure every agricultural product entering the country meets the terms and conditions set by the government.
Source: BERNAMA