KUALA LUMPUR: The higher demand and lower costs associated with smuggling pork from Thailand via unregulated routes have encouraged syndicates to take greater risks in their illegal operations.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department acting director Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said these smuggling operations are particularly active at night to avoid detection by security officers stationed at the border.
According to a report by Skuad Khas Harian Metro, Yusoff noted that the tactics of these smugglers are frequently detected by border patrols, with most arrests occurring during nighttime operations.
"This situation arises due to the high demand for pork among consumers in the country, combined with the lower costs of bringing it in from Thailand through unregulated routes.
"This has led to substantial profits for the syndicates, making them willing to take risks despite frequent arrests by authorities," he explained.
He added that the open border, which has little fencing and is only separated by the 20 to 30-meter-wide Golok River, poses a significant challenge for border enforcement officers.
"This situation provides an advantage to the syndicates, allowing them to continue their smuggling activities. The department, through its units including the General Operations Force (PGA), marine police and Air Operation Force (PGU), is actively enforcing border control through patrols, roadblocks, and inspections of riverside storage facilities and illegal landing sites, as well as conducting regular boat patrols along the Golok River and monitoring with drones," he added.
From Jan 1 to Sept 26, statistics from Op Taring Wawasan in Kelantan show that the PGA has recorded 12 cases involving the seizure of nearly 47 tons of pig carcasses valued at RM1.842 million, alongside the arrest of 13 individuals.
"In September alone, the PGA made five arrests, seizing 24.5 tons of pig carcasses worth RM969,600 and detaining four men.
"Despite these significant seizures and arrests, smuggling activities continue unabated," he noted.
The department is committed to enforcing border control to prevent all forms of smuggling, including pork, due to the risks of disease transmission and potential tax revenue losses.
Harian Metro had previously reported on transferring pork carcasses via boats crossing the Golok River during shift changes among authorities.
This was the modus operandi of syndicates actively smuggling pork into the country via Tak Bai, Golok River, and Bukit Bunga in Thailand.
During a two-day investigation in the affected areas, from Bukit Bunga to Kampung Pulau Ular, reporters found that smuggling activities typically began between 7.30pm and 10pm.