A group of smugglers fled on foot and escaped into Thailand, abandoning 1.3 tonnes of smuggled rice following a raid at an illegal jetty in Kampung Simpangan on Thursday.
In a broader context, cross-border smuggling activities continue to be closely monitored by authorities as enforcement agencies intensify efforts to curb illegal trade along the Malaysia–Thailand border.
In the 7.30am incident, the General Operations Force (PGA) seized various types of rice worth RM36,665.
Southeast Brigade PGA commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said officers spotted several men unloading rice sacks from a boat into a Mitsubishi Pajero four-wheel drive during a patrol near the illegal landing point.
He said all suspects managed to flee across the border into Thailand, while checks on the abandoned vehicle uncovered 1,385kg of assorted rice believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country.
The rice was believed to have been brought in illegally from Thailand for distribution around Kota Bharu.
The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the National Paddy and Rice Control Act 1994.
All seized items have been handed over to the National Paddy and Rice Regulatory Agency in Kelantan for further action and investigation.
