Pasir mas: The 8th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,700 different types of ornamental plants after intercepting a lorry along Jalan Rantau Panjang Lama near Pos Pok Teh Kana in Pasir Mas on Friday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Southeast Brigade GOF Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid stated that the seized plants included 2,000 saplings of bamboo trees, 1,000 banyan trees, 500 round bonsai, and 200 bougainvillaea plants. These plants are suspected of carrying pests and diseases.

The driver, a 26-year-old individual, was unable to provide any documentation for the ornamental plants, which are believed to have been smuggled from Thailand. He was supposed to deliver the plants to a local nursery, and has been detained by authorities.

The estimated value of the seizure is RM870,000, which includes the lorry. The seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Agriculture for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167).