RM3.44mil in smuggled plants seized, two lorry drivers arrested in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: Separate operations under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan led to the seizure of over RM3.44 million worth of ornamental plants, believed to be smuggled from Thailand, and the arrest of two lorry drivers.
The raids which were carried out over the weekend by the General Operations Force's (GOF) 18th and EightBattalions in Jeram Perdah and Chabang Empat here, also resulting in the arrests of two local men and the confiscation of two lorries used in the smuggling activities.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the first incident occurred on Sunday at 7.30pm when the GOF personnel from the 18th Battalion spotted a suspicious lorry near Pos Pok Teh Kana.
"Checks revealed 15,000 green bamboo plants and 30 casuarina trees in the vehicle, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand," he said in a statement today.
Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, a 23-year-old man, was also detained.
The total seizure, including the lorry, was valued at RM1.02 million.
Later the same night, at around 10pm, he said the second team from the Eighth Battalion stopped another suspicious lorry along Jalan Kampung Ana, Chabang Empat.
Inside, officers found 115 black wood bonsai trees, 3,000 jasmine plants and various types of flowers, Ros Azhan said.
The estimated value of the seizure was RM2.42 million.
The 42-year-old driver, who was arrested, told the GOF personnel that he was delivering the plants to a nursery in Perak, Ros Azhan said.
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