The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 6,000 plant saplings believed to have been smuggled from Thailand during an operation in Kampung Padang Licin yesterday.
A 61-year-old local lorry driver was also arrested after GOF Battalion 8 personnel stopped the vehicle for inspection at around 12.45pm.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said officers became suspicious of the lorry before intercepting it and carrying out a detailed inspection.
“Checks on the lorry uncovered 6,000 saplings comprising Malay gooseberry, frangipani and cactus plants.
“The plants and the lorry were seized, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM300,000,” he said in a statement.
Initial investigations found that the suspect had allegedly been involved in the smuggling activity for about five years and was working for a Thai national known as Salleh.
The suspect reportedly received RM300 for every delivery of plant saplings to a nursery in Kedah.
The seized plants and lorry were subsequently handed over to the Kota Bharu Agriculture Department for further action.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the full extent of the alleged cross-border smuggling operation.
