KUALA LUMPUR – Interpol has been roped in to hunt down two individuals connected to the meat cartel that was uncovered operating in Malaysia.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed was quoted as saying that police are still determining if fugitives Tan Siew Huak and Wong Ah Kheong are in the country.
“They are also labelled as wanted individuals. The police are working with all enforcement agencies such as the Immigration Department as well as Interpol for further action,” he told Sinar Harian.
He added that police will be working with the relevant agencies to identify if other meat import companies are running similar syndicates as the one busted last year.
On Sunday, police revealed that Tan from Ulu Tiram, Johor and Wong from Kuantan, Pahang were still at large. Authorities have so far nabbed 36 people in Operation Kartel that started on Friday across the country.
Those arrested are aged between 28 and 67, involving 26 men and 10 women. Investigations also found the primary company involved was a legitimate frozen meat importer from Brazil.
According to the importer’s permit, he said, the company is only allowed to import 27 tonnes of meat per permit. It was found that the company used four of the five importer permits issued in 2020, but distributed more than 1,000 tonnes to its 202 customers as shown in its confiscated invoices.
He added that the companies in the cartel raked in an annual profit of between RM1 million and RM52 million through the supply of meat from Brazil and Malaysia, which was repackaged on arrival before being distributed to customers.
Sinar Harian on December 2 reported that authorities raided a warehouse holding frozen meat in Senai, Johor and seized about 1,500 tonnes of meat such as beef, buffalo, duck and chicken as well as offal, with an estimated worth of RM30 million.
The raid was conducted by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis), Customs Department, among others. – The Vibes, April 13, 2021
