KOTA BHARU, April 26 (Bernama) — The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has cracked down on rice smuggling activities with the arrest of a man and the seizure of 8,500 kilogrammes of Thai rice in an operation in Kampung Kubang Batang, Tumpat, yesterday.
Its commander, SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the operation at 4.30 pm was carried out by members of GOF’s 9th Battalion after stopping a suspicious Isuzu lorry on the side of the road near Air-Rahman Mosque traffic lights.
He said an inspection found sacks of rice suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand.
“A 31-year-old local man was also detained to assist in the investigation. Initial investigations found that the suspect was receiving a fee of RM100 for each delivery according to the instructions of certain parties, including to Besut, Terengganu,” he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Radzi said the modus operandi detected involved using local individuals as low-paid couriers and was believed to be linked to a larger and more organised syndicate network.
According to him, the total value of the seizure, including the lorry and rice, is estimated at RM114,000.
“The case has been referred to the Kelantan State Padi and Rice Control Authority for further action and is being investigated in accordance with Section 20 of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994,” he said.
— BERNAMA