KOTA BHARU, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle 4,750 saplings worth RM237,500 during the Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan operation at the Sekat Pintas Serongga road checkpoint in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas yesterday.
During the 6.20 pm operation, personnel from Company C of the GOF’s 8th Battalion based in Pengkalan Chepa also detained a 43-year-old local lorry driver.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said an inspection of a suspicious lorry led to the discovery of 4,000 sentul saplings and 750 coastal she-oak (rhu pantai) saplings.
“The lorry, valued at RM100,000, was also seized, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM337,500.
“The suspect, from Rantau Panjang, is believed to have been involved in the smuggling activity for about three months and admitted to working as a driver for a Thai man known as 'Mun',” he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Radzi said the suspect was paid RM300 for each delivery made to nurseries across Kelantan.
“The suspect and all seized items were handed over to the Kota Bharu Agriculture Department at about 9 pm for further action, and the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167),” he said.
-- BERNAMA