TUMPAT: Marine police have foiled 1,336 attempts to smuggle Malaysian subsidised and essential items into Thailand with the seizure of goods worth about RM193 million in just under past three years.
The cases were recorded between 2022 and September this year, said Federal marine police commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Norzaid Muhammad Said.
He said most of the seizures were made along the Golok river, particularly in Tumpat.
"A total of 506 of the 1,336 cases were recorded by Pengkalan Kubor marine police.
"They managed to seize goods worth RM5.9 million. All seizures were made under the Price Control Act 1961," he said.
Norzaid was speaking a joint press conference with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Also present were ministry deputy director-general (prevention) Aris Mamat and state ministry director Azman Ismail.
During the three-year period, said Norzaid, marine police conducted Op Bersepadu with the ministry.
On the latest jointly operation, from Oct 1 to yesterday, he said some RM85,700 worth of smuggled items were seized and two Malaysian men arrested.
"The seizure comprised 1,675l of petrol and 850kg of cooking oil," he added.
He said they also seized eight vehicles which were used to transport the goods across the border.