KOTA BARU: The South-East Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,000 Merbau (Melaka teak) saplings during Ops Taring Wawasan near Rantau Panjang.
Its commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that in the 8.30pm incident on Monday, a team from the 7th Battalion, while on routine patrol, stopped a lorry in front of a school.
The team discovered tree saplings, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country.
He said further inspection revealed that the Merbau saplings were suspected to be infected with pests and diseases.
The 42-year-old lorry driver also failed to produce any documentation or authorisation for transporting them.
“The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM550,000, and the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167).
“The suspect and all seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action.
“The GOF will continue to intensify operations to curb the smuggling of foreign plants,” Nik Ros Azhan said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
