Sarawak Customs director Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said eight consignment boxes were seized at the outbound cargo loading bay centre.

The operation was a collaboration between the Customs ground operations branch with the airport’s passenger inspection unit.

“Further inspection was conducted using the scanner on the baggage of eight passengers travelling via AirAsia AK9237 and Malindo Air OD7605 flights to Kuala Lumpur and on transit to Hong Kong.

“Upon inspection of the passengers’ baggage, the team found eight cartons equivalent to 210.8kg of processed birds’ nests,” she said in a statement today.

Sharifah said the items lacked the required approvals from Customs, Sarawak Veterinary Department, and Forestry Department (Wildlife protection).