Pix courtesy of GOF via BERNAMA
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized 6,400 fruit saplings of various types, suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand.
South-East Brigade Cmdr Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made after a lorry was intercepted at 8pm Tuesday (April 22) during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan in Kampung Lubok Gong, Rantau Panjang.
"Checks found the saplings likely to be infested with harmful pests and diseases.
"The 44-year-old lorry driver also failed to produce any documents related to the ownership or movement of the plants,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 23).
Cmdr Nik Ros Azhan said the total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM790,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976.
He said the GOF would continue to strengthen border control and surveillance efforts to protect local crops from the threat of pests and diseases. – Bernama
