PETALING JAYA: An attempt to smuggle 82,000 kilograms of coconuts to a neighbouring country during a local flooding crisis was successfully thwarted by Battalion 8 of the General Operations Force (PGA) Pengkalan Chepa in two separate raids on Thursday.
During Op Taring Wawasan, the PGA also arrested two men, aged 38 and 40, who were allegedly acting as couriers for the smuggling operation.
Commander of the Southeast Brigade PGA, Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, said a Volvo trailer was stopped for suspicious driving at 2pm in Kampung Simpangan.
“Upon inspecting the vehicle, more than 41,000kg of coconuts were found in the back of the lorry without proper documentation.
“The estimated value of the total seizure is RM205,000.
“Meanwhile, at 2:30pm on Jalan Pulau Ular, Pengkalan Kubor, officers detained another Volvo trailer driven by a man who was also behaving suspiciously,” he said in a statement on Saturday reported by Sinar Harian.
According to Nik Ros Azhan, an inspection of the second vehicle also uncovered more than 41,000kg of coconuts in the back of the lorry without valid documentation.
He reiterated that the total value of the seizure, including both incidents, amounted to RM205,000.
Both cases are being investigated under Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Farmers' Organisation Authority (FAMA) Act 141 Coconut Marketing Scheme 1973.
The suspects and the seized goods have been handed over to the Tactical Company (Komtak) PGA Pengkalan Kubor for further action.
