KOTA BHARU, April 26 — The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has cracked down on rice smuggling activities with the arrest of a man and the seizure of 8,500kg of Thai rice in an operation in Kampung Kubang Batang, Tumpat, Kelantan, yesterday.
Its commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the 4.30pm operation was carried out by the GOF 9th Battalion's personnel after stopping a suspicious Isuzu lorry on the side of the road near Masjid Air-Rahman's traffic lights.
An inspection found sacks of rice suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand.
"A 31-year-old local man was also detained to assist in the investigation. Initial investigations found that the suspect was receiving a fee of RM100 for each delivery according to the instructions of certain parties, including to Besut, Terengganu," he said in a statement today.
Radzi added that the detected modus operandi involved using local individuals as low-paid couriers and was believed to be linked to a larger, more organised syndicate network.
The total value of the seizure, including the lorry and rice, is estimated at RM114,000.
"The case has been referred to the Kelantan State Padi and Rice Control Authority for further action and is being investigated in accordance with Section 20 of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994," he said.
