TANAH MERAH: Two men were arrested for possession of 2,074 saplings of various species, near the Golok river here, today.
The Malaysian 2nd Infantry Division Headquarters said in a statement today, that the saplings were believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand.
It stated the men had in their possession, 1,000 saplings of Buluh Manis, 200 of Bidara, 150 of Ground Orchids, 100 each of Sayak Naga and Mutiara Andaman, 50 saplings each of Keladi, Bayan King, Siam Mon, Rumput Mas, and Botani, as well as saplings of Kancana, Pilo Hijau, Mutiara Mas, Urai Mas, Zamrud and Janggut Naga.
The statement said an army unit was out on a routine patrol when it spotted suspicious activity near the bank of the Golok river at the Malaysia-Thailand border about 3am.
"They saw two men, aged 24 and 25, loading the saplings, believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand, onto a lorry.
"The army detained the two and seized the various species," it said.
The statement added the lorry was also seized. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM214,000.
It added the men and the seized items have been handed over to the Lalang Pepuyu police station for further action.