ALOR SETAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade arrested two men and seized 40 tonnes of white rice, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country, in Jitra, on Sunday (March 16).
Northern Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Shahrum Hashim said the two local men were arrested at 4pm by an intelligence team from the brigade headquarters, during a padi and rice regulatory enforcement operation.
"The two men were transporting 40 tonnes of white rice, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country via Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, using a lorry, before being taken to the northern region for distribution.
"The seized rice is valued at RM160,000, while the lorry, worth RM350,000, was also confiscated. The case is being investigated under Section 7(2) of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522)," he said in a statement, Monday (March 18).
He said that the GOF Northern Brigade is actively conducting surveillance and patrols across Perak, Penang, and Kedah to curb illegal activities.
"The GOF Northern Brigade is committed and consistent in its enforcement efforts, and will never compromise in enforcing the law, especially involving the diversion of daily necessities that need to be supervised and safeguarded.
"We urge the public to act as our eyes and ears, by reporting any suspicious activities to the authorities," SAC Shahrum said. - Bernama
