KOTA BHARU: The Southeast Brigade General Operations Force seized 1,260 durian saplings suspected of violating the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan in Kampung Banggol Mek Pit, Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, on Wednesday (July 15).
Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the seizure was carried out at 5.30pm by members of Strike Force Company B, Battalion 9, Kuala Terengganu General Operations Force, who stopped a lorry while conducting patrols in the area.
He said the inspection found 1,000 durian saplings of the Black Thorn variety and 260 durian saplings of the D99 variety believed to be brought in from a neighbouring country.
"A 35-year-old local man who was driving the lorry was also arrested after failing to produce documents that met the requirements related to the transportation of the saplings.
"The case is suspected of violating Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167) because the saplings being transported are believed to be at risk of having pests and diseases," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 16).
He said the total value of the saplings seized was estimated at RM60,400, while the lorry used was estimated to be worth RM150,000, making the total value of the seizure RM210,400.
He said initial investigations found that the man involved worked as a lorry driver at a nursery company owned by his family in Rantau Panjang and was paid according to the journey and quantity of the delivery.
"When arrested, the suspect was believed to be on his way to deliver the saplings to Pengkalan Hulu, Perak to fulfil a customer's request," he said.
He said all the seized items and arrests had been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, while monitoring operations will continue to be enhanced to combat the smuggling of saplings that carry the risk of disease and insect pests in border areas. – Bernama
