KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) 9th Battalion has foiled an attempt to smuggle 36,000kg of white rice in Kampung Lawang, Batu Gajah, Tanah Merah.
Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made when team members spotted several men loading white sacks onto the back of a trailer during a patrol under Op Taring Wawasan on Wednesday (Sept 3).
He said the trailer driver and a 19-year-old male passenger were arrested but the other suspects fled into nearby bushes after realising the presence of the police.
Checks revealed 36,000kg of white rice in the trailer, suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand for sale in the local market.
The total seizure is valued at RM144,000.
In a separate case, Nik Ros Azhan said they also thwarted an attempt to smuggle 11 head of cattle after intercepting a lorry in Kampung Gelong Pasir, Tumpat, on the same day.
The cattle are suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand, and the 60-year-old local man driving the lorry, believed to be delivering them for the local market, was also detained.
The estimated value of the seizure, including the lorry, is RM113,000.
