Smugglers flee by boat, leaving cattle behind

PASIR MAS: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 12 cows worth RM67,200 – believed smuggled from Thailand – during a raid here.

Kelantan Ops Wawasan field commanding officer Supt Azhari Nusi said the seizure was made after a team from the 9th Battalion of the GOF conducted a raid near Kampung Tok Rusa, Meranti, on Sunday night.

He said members of the intelligence unit had received information about the smuggling of cattle from a neighbouring country through Sungai Tok Rusa, which is connected to Sungai Golok.

“My team tailed a boat and saw some men moving cattle out of the boat.

“Becoming aware of the presence of the GOF, the smugglers fled towards Thailand using the boat. Checks along the riverbank found 12 cows suspected to have been smuggled from (Thailand),” he said in a statement.

Azhari said that after about an hour of waiting, no one showed up to claim the cows.

The case is being investigated under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act.

He said cattle smuggling was getting rampant due to rising demand for beef during Ramadan. – Bernama