Police have arrested five individuals and rescued 32 cattle believed to have been stolen during a special operation carried out in Bachok, Kelantan, early Thursday morning.
Pasir Puteh District Police Chief Superintendent Saari Yaacob said the operation, conducted between 3am and 4am, involved officers from the D4 Branch of the Kelantan Contingent Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department and the Pasir Puteh District Criminal Investigation Division.
The operation resulted in the arrest of five local suspects, comprising four men and one woman, at separate locations in Bachok.
According to Saari, the suspects were detained at a house along Jalan Kandis in Kampung Telong and another residence in Kuping Cherang Sepulai.
Following the arrests, police carried out further investigations and proceeded to a palm oil plantation in Kampung Gong Nyatoh, Telong, where they made a significant discovery.
“Officers found 32 cattle tied to oil palm trees inside the plantation,” he said in a statement.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the animals are believed to belong to villagers from nearby areas who had previously reported their livestock missing.
Police are currently conducting ownership verification procedures and efforts are underway to trace the rightful owners of the cattle.
The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.
Authorities have urged members of the public who have lost cattle to come forward and visit the Kubang Kerian Veterinary Department to identify the rescued animals.
Saari also called on anyone with information related to the case to contact the nearest police station or the Pasir Puteh District Police Headquarters to assist investigators.
The successful operation is expected to bring relief to livestock owners in the area and highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb cattle theft activities, which have long been a concern among rural communities.
