KOTA BHARU, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 185 saplings of various types suspected of being smuggled from Thailand via an ungazetted route in Jeram Perdah, Pasir Mas, today.
Also seized during the Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan operation was an Isuzu lorry worth RM150,000, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM157,325.
Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the 2 pm operation was conducted by the Strike Force of Company B, 9th Battalion, with assistance from the Kelantan Agriculture Department, after a suspicious-looking lorry was spotted by the roadside at Jalan Rantau Panjang-Jeram Perdah.
He said an inspection of the lorry’s rear cargo compartment uncovered 45 mosquito plant saplings measuring 15 inches, 70 mosquito plant saplings measuring 11 inches, 40 lotus saplings and 30 frangipani saplings.
“The lorry driver, a 43-year-old local man, was detained for further investigation on suspicion of bringing in the saplings through an ungazetted route,” he said in a statement today.
He said questioning revealed that the saplings were intended for delivery to a trader at the Tunjong Rural Transformation Centre (RTC), with the driver receiving between RM100 and RM120 for each delivery.
The lorry driver and seized items were handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167).
-- BERNAMA