KOTA BHARU: A plant delivery driver was arrested for allegedly smuggling 1,296 seedlings of various species from Thailand, valued at approximately RM134,500, in Op Taring Wawasan yesterday. Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (PGA) commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Ab Hamid reported that the seedlings were discovered in a truck driven by a man acting suspiciously in Kampung Parit Air, Rantau Panjang.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 30-year-old local suspect was detained at 1.30 pm, and the seedlings are believed to be intended for local sale. Authorities found 700 bidara seedlings, 298 longan plants, 200 young guava plants, and 98 Buchida Batik plants in the truck, all transported without valid documentation. “This case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167),” Nik Ros Azhan said in a statement today.

In a related operation last Friday, the PGA also detained a Myanmar national in Kampung Mentua, Tumpat. Nik Ros Azhan explained that the undocumented migrant w
as arrested at 6.50 pm for failing to produce valid identification documents. The man is believed to have entered Malaysia through an unauthorised route, and the case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. ‘The PGA will continue to intensify efforts to curb smuggling activities along the national border,’ he added.