Latest news with #South-EastBrigade
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Nearly 40 nabbed as illegal timber racket cut short in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force has raided illegal timber factories in Kelantan, seizing various items worth about RM31.2mil. South-East Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30pm on Monday across four districts – Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli – under Ops Khazanah. 'Eight officers and 65 personnel from the South-East Brigade Intelligence Branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, as well as the Strike Force and the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. 'A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained, while 5,537 various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. Nik Ros Azhan said the forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, valued at around RM14.98mil, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75mil. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985 and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. 'Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings,' Nik Ros Azhan said.
The Star
23-04-2025
- The Star
Smuggling of Merbau saplings foiled by GOF
KOTA BARU: The South-East Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,000 Merbau (Melaka teak) saplings during Ops Taring Wawasan near Rantau Panjang. Its commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that in the 8.30pm incident on Monday, a team from the 7th Battalion, while on routine patrol, stopped a lorry in front of a school. The team discovered tree saplings, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country. He said further inspection revealed that the Merbau saplings were suspected to be infected with pests and diseases. The 42-year-old lorry driver also failed to produce any documentation or authorisation for transporting them. 'The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM550,000, and the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). 'The suspect and all seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action. 'The GOF will continue to intensify operations to curb the smuggling of foreign plants,' Nik Ros Azhan said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
