GOF seizes 6 tonnes of coconuts, 8.5 tonnes of rice in border ops

New Straits Times

17-06-2025

TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled two separate smuggling attempts involving coconuts and rice worth nearly RM370,000 in operations here yesterday.
Two lorry drivers were also arrested for possession of the smuggled goods.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said in the first incident, a patrol team spotted a suspicious lorry at an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor around 4.30pm.
"Upon inspection, they found about 6,000kg of mature coconuts loaded in the back of the vehicle.
"The driver failed to produce valid documentation for the goods.
"The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM210,000," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 3(1)(a) of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority Act 1965 (FAMA Act).
In a separate operation at 12.30am, another GOF team stopped a lorry at Jalan Kampung Bendang Pak Yong in Simpangan.
"The vehicle was found to be carrying 8,500kg of white rice suspected to have been smuggled in from Thailand.
"The 23-year-old driver is believed to have been delivering the rice for sale in the local market," he said.
The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM159,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of the Padi and Rice Act 1994.
Ros Azhan said both cases reflect the persistent smuggling activities along the Malaysia–Thailand border, particularly through ungazetted routes.
"The GOF remains committed to intensifying operations such as Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan to curb the flow of contraband and safeguard the country's economic and agricultural interests," he said.
He added that enforcement teams would continue to monitor hotspots along the border.