An illegal timber processing factory believed to have been operating for the past six months in Kampung Lubok Tapah was exposed after a raid by the General Operations Force (GOF) and Forestry Department on Monday.
During the Op Taring Wawasan raid at around 3.30pm, authorities detained six men, including the 65-year-old owner of the factory, to assist investigations.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Ahmad Radzi Hussain said officers seized various wood-processing machines, heavy machinery and approximately 50,000 wooden planks of different types and sizes with a total estimated value of RM1.1 million.
The raid was launched following intelligence gathered on illegal timber processing activities believed to be operating without a valid licence.
“When the raid was carried out, six men aged between 24 and 48 were found working inside the timber storage facility before they were detained for further inspection,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Investigations revealed the owner failed to produce valid operating licences for the timber facility as well as documentation related to the use of wood-cutting machinery issued by the Forestry Department.
Further checks uncovered multiple industrial machines including wood saws, wood planers, cross-cut machines, air compressors and a forklift, along with logs from several timber species such as Nyatuh and Kulim.
Authorities believe the timber supply was sourced through two agents, including a company based in Perak and another supplier from Gua Musang.
The wood was allegedly processed at the illegal facility before being sent to a furniture factory in Lemal, where it was turned into furniture products for the Kelantan market.
Ahmad Radzi said the suspect had reportedly rented the factory site for the past 10 years at RM850 per month, although the premises had previously only been used as a timber storage area.
However, inspections at the suspect’s furniture factory in Lemal found no offences, as the premises possessed valid operating licences.
The case is being investigated under Section 68(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984, with all suspects and seized items handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department for further action.
