TUMPAT: The General Operations Force has seized 84 live reptiles, including more than 70 snakes, worth over RM300,000 in an operation here yesterday.
GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, however, stated that no one was arrested during the operation at Kampung Mentua near Pengkalan Kubor.
Other reptiles seized in the operation included nine tortoises and five lizards, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand.
"The team was conducting its Op Taring Wawasan when they spotted several men acting suspiciously with several boxes and plastic containers near Sungai Golok riverbank at about 6.30am.
"The men, however, had fled on foot. After checking on the boxes and plastic containers, they found various types of snakes, tortoises and the lizards of the 'Spiny Tailer Monitor' species," he said in a statement.
He added initial investigation showed that the reptiles were smuggled into the country for the local market.
In a separate case, a 39-year-old was detained with various types of smuggled frozen foods worth nearly RM60,000 in Pasir Mas last night.
In the 11pm operation at Kampung Lemal, GOF also seized a lorry that was used to transport the food.
"The man was believed to have been hired by an individual to deliver the Thai frozen foods to local buyers when he was arrested," he added.
He said the frozen foods were believed to have been smuggled via an illegal jetty in Rantau Panjang.