Sabah Customs Director Janathan Kandok said the containers were detained as they were suspected to have breached the Customs Act and regulations.

“Inspection revealed that 90 per cent of the containers contained items which needed import permits which the importers failed to produce.

“The containers were inspected within a reasonable period. Those found to be in order were released immediately,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Janathan was commenting on a statement by a political leader on the detention of containers by the Customs Department.

Containers that were in order and carrying perishable goods were immediately released to avoid damaging the goods.

He added that the Customs did not receive any complaint from the importers over any damaged perishable goods.