Rantau Panjang: The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,000 Merbau (Malacca teak) saplings during an Op Taring Wawasan operation conducted in front of a school near Rantau Panjang yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation was led by commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid. During the operation, a team from the 7th Battalion, while on routine patrol, stopped a lorry being driven suspiciously. Upon inspection, they discovered tree saplings, believed to have been smuggled from a neighboring country.

Further inspection revealed that the Merbau saplings were suspected to be infected with pests and diseases. The 42-year-old lorry driver failed to produce any documentation or authorization for transporting the plants. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM550,000.

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 has stated that they will continue to intensify operations to curb the smuggling of foreign plants, which pose a threat to the ecosystem and the safety of local crops.