RANTAU PANJANG: It looks like smugglers operating along the Kelantan-Thailand border have now resorted to smuggling ornamental plants intended for decoration at roadsides and homes into the country as a means to gain quick profit.
Their plan to distribute the trees to local suppliers was thwarted when the General Operations Force (GOF) seized more than 250 trees worth around RM1.4 million by the roadside at a location in town here yesterday.
Its Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the trees seized during the operation included seven 'Livistona Rotundifolia' and more than 250 'Focus Chinese'.
He also said a man, who is the driver of the trailer used to transport the trees, was arrested during the operation.
"A team from the Seventh Battalion was dispatched to the area after receiving information about ornamental plants being smuggled from Thailand.
"Upon spotting a trailer on the road, the officers directed the driver to stop for an inspection.
"The team discovered that the decorative trees lacked an import permit and subsequently arrested the driver," he said in a statement.
He added initial investigation showed that the suspect who is a local, was hired by individuals to bring in the trees from Thailand to the state.
"The trees were for local distribution," he added.
Importing ornamental plants without a valid permit from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department is an offence under Section 11 (1) of the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) which can be punished under Section 11 (3) of the same Act.