KUALA LUMPUR – Following reports of a “meat cartel” that smuggles non-halal meat, sources told the New Straits Times that the frozen meat imported by the cartel is not limited to beef, but includes horse meat and kangaroo meat.
Its report today said these meats will be mixed with beef in warehouses nationwide run by the cartel before being sold.
Sources were quoted as saying that the beef brought in is from animals of poor quality or even diseased animals, and bought at lower prices.
“The cartel buys the meat at up to 50% cheaper than meat obtained from certified slaughterhouses and processing plants.
“The meat would then be shipped to Malaysia and ferried out via trucks and lorries to cartel warehouses, where it is mixed with certified halal meat.
“Coupled with avoiding taxes and the procedures involved in importing certified halal meat, the cartel stands to make a healthy profit,” a source was quoted as saying.
It was also reported that more than 60 containers carrying the products were brought in between November last year and last April into Northport and Westport in Port Klang.
Yesterday, it was reported the Customs Department would conduct an internal investigation following the discovery of a cartel smuggling frozen meat in Johor.
Director-general Datuk Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir was quoted as saying that the probe was meant to sniff out any customs official abetting the syndicate.
It was reported on December 2 that a syndicate was smuggling in frozen meat from China, Ukraine, Brazil, and Argentina, and repackaging the item with the halal logo at a warehouse in Senai, Johor Baru.
Senior officers from four government agencies were also reported to be working with the syndicate.
The officers reportedly received money, and sometimes women for sex, in exchange. – The Vibes, December 22, 2020
