KOTA BARU: Three men, two of whom have drug-related criminal records, were arrested while in a lorry carrying 10,000kg of Siamese rice suspected to have been smuggled, at Kampung Kebakat, Wakaf Bharu, Tumpat, on Sunday (Feb 1).
Region Three Marine Police Force (PPM) acting commander Deputy Supt Muhamad Keny Anyie Abdullah said all the local suspects, aged between 16 and 44 years old, were detained under the Ops Taring Gelora operation conducted by the Region Three PPM Operations Headquarters, Pengkalan Kubor.
He said that at about 9pm, a team of marine patrol boat officers and personnel on routine patrol followed a lorry from Kampung Bendang Pok Yong heading towards Chabang Empat.
"The team then stopped the lorry at the roadside of Kampung Kebakat and detained the three men who were inside the vehicle.
"Inspections found that the lorry was carrying 200 sacks of imported white rice weighing 50kg each, bringing the total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, to an estimated RM290,000," he said in a statement Monday (Feb 2).
DSP Muhamad Keny Anyie said the case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 for possession and suspected offences related to padi and rice control, before being referred to the Kota Baru Padi and Rice Regulatory Division for further action.
Members of the public with information related to maritime or cross-border crimes are urged to contact 09-513 7726 or email gerakanw3@gmail.com. - Bernama
