Latest news with #RM2.64mil
The Star
16-05-2025
- The Star
Cops probe alleged misconduct by border personnel
KOTA BARU: The police have received information regarding alleged abuse of power involving border enforcement personnel, says Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat ( pic ). Preliminary information indicated possible misconduct related to smuggling, including livestock, he added. 'A special task force has been formed and investigations are underway by the Kelantan police intelligence division,' he told reporters after the monthly assembly at the Kelantan police contingent headquarters yesterday. This announcement follows the Kelantan police's decision to tighten border security in order to curb cattle smuggling ahead of Hari Raya Haji, in response to reports of anthrax-related deaths in Thailand. Mohd Yusoff said his department is working closely with relevant agencies, including the Veterinary Services Department and border authorities, to prevent the illegal entry of livestock into the country. The deaths have been linked to the slaughter and consumption of raw meat in Don Tan district, Mukdahan province, Thailand, which borders Laos, according to a report by Thailand's Department of Disease Control. 'Kelantan police will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, patrols and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard national security and combat smuggling,' he added, according to Bernama. Mohd Yusoff also reminded operators and livestock farmers not to bring cattle along illegal routes and to use only authorised checkpoints at the ICQS Complex to ensure proper health screening is conducted. He stressed that livestock smuggling harms the local livestock industry and poses a risk of spreading infectious diseases to humans. Mohd Yusoff said that the Border Security Coordination Committee's Working Group Meeting, in collaboration with the National Security Council, has recognised the necessity to strengthen enforcement measures against livestock smuggling activities. In 36 cases between 2024 and April 2025, the General Operations Force (GOF) seized a total of 390 cows and 25 buffaloes, valued at nearly RM4mil. In another development, RM2.64mil worth of ornamental plants and a lorry were seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) in Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol on Wednesday. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes. However, they can cause the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control. Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including a health analysis of the plants, he added.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
GOF seizes RM2.6mil worth of ornamental plants in Pasir Mas
KOTA BARU: Ornamental plants worth RM2.64mil were seized on Wednesday (May 14) by the General Operations Forces in an operation in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid ( pic ) said the seizure was made from a lorry by a patrol from Battalion 9 during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. "These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process," he said in a statement on Thursday. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added. - Bernama
The Star
26-04-2025
- The Star
RM2.64m of Europe-bound drugs seized
PETALING JAYA: Drugs that were intended for the European market were seized after Bukit Aman arrested two suspected drug pushers. Narcotics Crime Investigation Department acting director Deputy Comm Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said an operation on April 23 led to the arrest of two suspects, a local and a Chinese national, aged 34 and 38. The first arrest was made at a restaurant in Sepang at around 5.25am while the second suspect was picked up at Kota Warisan at around 6.15am. 'We also raided a rented house in Bukit Changgang, Banting, where 144 packages, believed to be marijuana, weighing 75.51kg were found. 'The estimated value of the seized drugs was around RM2.64mil, which could have been used by 151,000 drug addicts,' he said in a statement. DCP Mat Zani said investigations showed both suspects were exporting the drugs to Europe with the syndicate being active since early this year. 'The house, a homestay unit, was used as a storehouse at a rental cost of RM180 per month. 'Both tested negative for drugs,' the acting director said, adding that background checks showed both had no prior criminal records.
