Pasir mas: The Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) seized 1,260 durian saplings suspected of violating the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 during Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan in Kampung Banggol Mek Pit, Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, yesterday. Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain stated the operation was conducted at 5:30 pm by members of Strike Force Company B, Battalion 9, Kuala Terengganu GOF who stopped an Isuzu lorry during patrols in the area.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the inspection uncovered 1,000 durian saplings of the Black Thorn variety and 260 of the D99 variety, believed to have been imported from a neighboring country. A 35-year-old local man driving the lorry was arrested after failing to present the necessary documents for transporting the saplings. The case is suspected of violating Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, as the saplings are potentially at risk of harboring pests and diseases.
The seized saplings were valued at approximately RM60,400, while the lorry used was estimated to be worth RM150,000, culminating in a total seizure value of RM210,400. Initial investigations revealed the suspect worked as a lorry driver at a family-owned nursery company in Rantau Panjang and was compensated based on the journey and quantity of the delivery. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly en route to deliver the saplings to Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, to fulfill a customer order.
All seized items and the arrest have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action. Monitoring operations will continue to be reinforced to combat the smuggling of saplings that carry disease and pest risks in border areas.
In a related incident, the GOF Southeast Brigade detained two men and seized a lorry carrying various plant saplings suspected of being smuggled from Thailand, valued at RM235,600, during the same operation in Rantau Panjang yesterday. Ahmad Radzi indicated that the raid occurred at 6:30 pm along the roadside of Kampung Tok Deh by Strike Force members from Company B, GOF 9th Battalion Kuala Terengganu, with assistance from the Kelantan Agriculture Department.
The seized items included 300 bromeliad saplings, 200 bougainvillaea saplings, 150 rose saplings, and other plant saplings, along with the impounded lorry, bringing the total seizure value to RM235,600. Investigations revealed the 37-year-old lorry driver worked as a daily-wage worker, earning RM150 to RM200 per trip, hired five to six times monthly. The case is being investigated under Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, with all suspects and seized items handed over to the Kelantan State Agriculture Department for further action.