KOTA BARU: Timber and bonsai trees worth nearly RM4mil were seized in two separate incidents in Pasir Mas during the recent Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan mounted by Battalion 9 of the General Operations Force (GOF).
Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the first seizure took place at a sawmill in Kampung Bukit Tandak, Rantau Panjang, at 5pm on March 27.
He said that though the sawmill has an operating licence, checks revealed discrepancies in the documentation for stored timber and failure to update the timber entry logbook.
Further inspection of the premises uncovered 525 logs of various sizes and species, 36,000 processed timber pieces and several wood-processing machines. The seized timber lacked recorded measurements.
“A 48-year-old sawmill clerk was arrested to assist in the investigation,” he said in a statement yesterday, adding that the seized items were valued at an estimated RM2.44mil.
The case is being investigated under Section 69(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984.
The suspect and seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department.
In a separate incident on the same day, Battalion 9 seized ornamental plants found in front of Sekolah Gual Tinggi at 9.17pm.
During this operation, the team stopped a lorry carrying nine large bonsai trees suspected of being infested with pests and diseases.
“The lorry driver, a 33-year-old man, was detained for allegedly transporting the trees to the local market.
“The total value of the seized items and lorry is estimated at RM1.55mil.
“Kelantan Plant Biosecurity Division will be conducting further action on this apprehension and seizure,” Nik Ros Azhan said.
The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976.
