1,000 Black Thorn Durian Saplings Seized, Suspected Smuggled From Thailand

PASIR MAS: The 9th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA9) has seized 2,560 various types of saplings suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand.

All the saplings are estimated to be worth RM146,000 and were seized in two separate raids in Rantau Panjang yesterday.

PGA Southeast Brigade Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the first seizure took place at 6.30 pm yesterday along Jalan Kampung Tok Deh, Rantau Panjang here, when PGA stopped a suspicious Isuzu lorry.

“The lorry was occupied by two local men aged 33 and 37, and inspection of the vehicle found 1,300 saplings, including Bromeliad ornamental plants and guava trees.

“The value of the seizure is estimated at RM85,600 and we believe all the saplings were smuggled from Thailand and are suspected to carry insect pests and diseases.

“Based on initial investigations, all the saplings were to be taken to Pahang,” he said in a media statement today.

Ahmad Radzi said the 37-year-old man, who was also the lorry driver, admitted to being paid a daily wage of between RM150 and RM200.

1,000 Black Thorn durian saplings seized

In the second raid along Jalan Kampung Banggol Mek Pit, Rantau Panjang at 5.30 pm, a total of 1,000 Black Thorn durian saplings and 260 D99 durian saplings estimated to be worth RM60,400 were seized.

“Investigations into the 35-year-old man, who was also the lorry driver, found that all the saplings were to be sent to Pengkalan Hulu, Perak.

“All seizures have been handed over to the Kelantan State Department of Agriculture for further investigation under Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167),” he said.

Berita Harian