The officials were also shocked to see maggots wriggling in a pile of unprocessed belacan.

Many had to cover their noses to avoid the stench. A couple of reporters at the scene ran out of the premises to avoid the odour.

The illegal factory located in a remote village was immediately ordered to cease operations.

Penang Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah said of the premises: 'The whole place was dirty and disgusting and it stank.'

He said the factory was believed to have been operating for five years. It had been using a kampung house in a jungle area to avoid detection.

Among the items seized were 95kg of belacan valued at about RM950 ($400) and some 5,000kg of raw materials worth about RM50,000.

Mr Subbaiyah said the seized items would be sent for an analysis and the results were expected in two weeks.

The team tracked down the factory operator and recorded a statement from him. If convicted, he could be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to 10 years, or both.

The Star/Asia News Network