GOF seizes 6 tonnes of coconuts, 8.5 tonnes of rice in border ops
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in illegal ray net
ALOR STAR: An endangered Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead after becoming entangled in an illegal ray net (pukat pari) in the waters off Kuala Kedah. The tragic discovery was made by a team from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone, during a routine patrol approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary at around 11am yesterday. Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak, said the ray net, with an estimated value of RM2,000, is believed to have been used by irresponsible fishermen. "Ray nets are among the fishing tools that have been officially banned under the Fisheries Act 1985 due to their non-selective nature. They not only trap rays and juvenile fish, but also pose a serious threat to protected marine species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin," she said in a statement. The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), also locally known as empesut, is a unique species that is rapidly disappearing across Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia. The death of even a single individual can have a significant impact on the ecosystem, as the species' current population is extremely small and difficult to track. Azreyanti said the latest seizure marks the sixth case of illegal ray net confiscation carried out by the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone this year, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts to curb the use of destructive fishing gear that harms marine habitats. She stressed that the use of ray nets not only affects ray populations—key predators in seabed ecosystems—but also disrupts the overall balance of marine biodiversity. "If this activity continues unchecked, not only will rays face extinction, but other marine species that rely on this food chain will also be at risk. This is a deeply concerning situation," she said. She urged the entire fishing community and maritime public to be more aware of the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and to report any illegal fishing activities or suspicious incidents via the emergency line 999 or the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 04-7310579. "We must act collectively. Every marine life lost due to human greed is a profound loss to nature and future generations. "This tragedy serves as yet another stark reminder of the fragility of ocean life and the urgent need for firm action and collective awareness to protect it," she said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
GOF foils attempt to smuggle 19,000 kg of white rice
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 19,000 kilogrammes of white rice from Thailand along Jalan Kampung Air Gatal, Tanah Merah, as part of the 'Op Taring Wawasan' operations yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made after a GOF's 9th Battalion team spotted several men loading white sacks into the back of a trailer. 'However, all the suspects fled into nearby bushes upon realising the presence of the police,' he said in a statement today. He said an inspection of the trailer found 19,000 kilogrammes of white rice, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand and intended for sale on the local market. 'The seized rice, along with the trailer, is estimated to be worth RM426,000. The case has been handed over to the Kelantan Paddy and Rice Regulatory Authority for further action,' he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of Paddy and Rice Act 1994. Meanwhile, Nik Ros Azhan said in a separate operation, his team also foiled an attempt to smuggle 11 cows after intercepting a lorry that was being driven suspiciously in Kampung Telaga Bata, Tumpat, last Thursday. 'An inspection found 11 cows in the back of the lorry, and the driver failed to produce any valid documentation for the livestock. The driver, a 28-year-old local man, was arrested,' he said. He added that the total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM151,000. The case has been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Veterinary Services for further action and is being investigated under Section 36(1) of the Animals Act 1953.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'Op Mabuk' nets intoxicated driver and 25 traffic summonses
BATU PAHAT: A 20-year-old man was arrested for drink-driving during a traffic enforcement operation targeting intoxicated motorists across the district, yesterday. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the operation, codenamed 'Op Mabuk', kicked off at 11pm yesterday until 5am the following morning, covering various areas and included a roadblock at KM3 Jalan Kluang–Batu Pahat. "The suspect was detained under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 after a breathalyser test showed he had exceeded the legal alcohol limit," he said. The man was held overnight and is expected to be released on bail today pending further investigation, while his vehicle was seized. He may face charges for driving under the influence of alcohol, Shahrulanuar told the New Straits Times when contacted today. He warned motorists against drink-driving, adding that offenders face stiff penalties including a maximum fine of RM30,000, a two-year prison term, and a mandatory two-year licence suspension. "Driving under the influence endangers not only yourself but everyone else on the road. Don't take that risk," he said. A total of 25 summonses were issued during the six-hour operation for various traffic offences. These included three motorists for running red lights, misuse of high beams (4), ignoring traffic signals (2), and registration plate violations (6). Three motorcyclists were issued with summonses for missing side mirrors, two for expired road tax and one was riding without a valid licence. He added that four 4x4 drivers were slapped with summonses for driving with an expired road tax, had number plate violations and had no driving licence.
