KOTA BARU: Battalion 8 of the General Operations Force (GOF) seized 1,300 saplings of various species believed to have been smuggled from Thailand during an operation along Jalan Besar Rantau Panjang-Pasir Mas on Tuesday (June 9).
GOF South-East Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Ahmad Radzi Hussain (pic) said personnel on duty stopped and inspected a white lorry driven by a 44-year-old local man.
He said the inspection uncovered 500 rambutan saplings, 200 tecoma saplings, 200 coconut saplings, 200 ylang-ylang saplings and 200 guava saplings transported without valid documentation.
"The driver failed to produce any permits or documents related to the plants," he said in a statement on Tuesday night.
"The saplings are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand and could potentially carry pests that may threaten the nation’s agricultural sector.
"The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM278,000, including the lorry, which is valued at approximately RM150,000."
SAC Ahmad Radzi said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect obtained the saplings from a nursery in Golok, Thailand, before bringing them into Malaysia via a river route.
It is believed he was transporting them to Johor.
The suspect has been detained for further investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, while all seized items had been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action. – Bernama
