Kuala krai: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized various types of suspected untaxed timber and machinery worth more than RM2.32 million at a sawmill in Sungai Embak, Kuala Krai, yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the seizure was carried out at about 3 pm by intelligence personnel from the 8th Battalion. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 16,440 pieces of processed timber of different sizes and species valued at RM164,400, along with 462 logs of varying sizes and species worth RM46,200.

The seizure extended to machinery and a vehicle valued at RM2.02 million, as well as 45 saw blades worth RM90,000. Five men, aged between 31 and 62, including the mill owner, were detained and handed over to the Machang Forestry Department for investigation under Section 84 of the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313).

The processed timber is suspected to have been supplied to several wooden pallet processing mills in Kelantan for use as raw materials in the production of pallets and other wood-based products.