GOF foils smuggling of ornamental plants worth RM1.25 million

The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle ornamental plants from Thailand after seizing a lorry carrying various types of flower saplings worth RM1.25 million in Rantau Panjang on Wednesday.

Southeast Brigade PGA Commander, Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, stated that the seizure was made after a team from Battalion 8 detected a lorry driven by a man behaving suspiciously at around 12:20 a.m. while conducting operations under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan.

Upon inspecting the lorry, officers discovered more than 2,000 flower saplings, including Willow, Lavender, Texas Sage, Oleander, and others, suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand.

“These plants are believed to carry pests and diseases,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

He further stated that the 37-year-old lorry driver, who was arrested, is believed to have acted as a courier for the smuggled plants intended for the local market.

“All seized items, along with the suspect, have been taken to the Rantau Panjang Police Station for further action under the Plant Quarantine Act 1976,” he added.