Two containers of oxtail, cow's tongue and offal labelled as frozen boneless beef cuts from Hong Kong had been seized by Malaysia's Customs Department.

The items in the containers are worth at nearly RM 500,000 (US$154,000). The containers were detained at Klang Multi Terminal Yard in Westport on last Wednesday (June 18, 2008) due to suspicions that they could be carrying import-restricted items.

Frozen oxtail, cow's tongue and offal with a weight total of 46,476 kg were discovered in the containers upon inspection, according to Datuk Mardina Alwi, deputy director-general of the Customs Department.

Beef trade is not subject to import duty but required an import licence from the Veterinary Department and a halal certification.

The department welcomes public cooperation in providing information on smuggling activities, said Mardina.