RM5.5mil worth of plants and vehicle seized; plants belie­ved to have been smuggled from Thai­land

GOF picture.

KOTA BARU: The General Opera­tions Force (GOF) has seized various ornamental plants belie­ved to have been smuggled from Thai­land in Kampung Lalang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah.

GOF South-East Brigade Com­mander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said its 9th Battalion confiscated the items from a lorry at 4.15pm last Friday during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan.

“Inspection of the lorry uncove­red a landscape plant of the Euge­nia species, 1,500 climbing plants and 2,000 bucida plants. The seized items, including the vehicle, are worth about RM5.5mil,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.

Nik Ros Azhan said the 26-year-old lorry driver was also detained after the man failed to produce any documents related to the plants.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976.

“The suspect and seized items were handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action,” he added.

In a separate case, the GOF’s 8th Battalion, in collaboration with the Kota Baru Municipal Council, foiled the sale of unlicensed electronic cigarettes at a premise on Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab at 5.15pm on Saturday.

“A 36-year-old man was found on the premise and checks unco­vered 4,064 units of vape liquids and devices without valid documentation. The seizure is valued at about RM284,000,” Nik Ros Azhan said.