GOF seizes 1.2 tonnes of suspected smuggled rice in Tumpat

KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 1,216kg of various brands of rice suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand during a raid in Kampung Kubang Panjang, Tumpat, yesterday.

The rice, valued at RM4,864, was seized during Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan around 4pm after members of Strike Force Company B, Battalion 7 of the Kuantan GOF, spotted a suspicious Nissan Vanette van while patrolling the Kota Baru-Pengkalan Kubor route.

Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the van driver attempted to flee upon noticing the presence of the police, but the vehicle skidded in Kampung Kubang Panjang.

An inspection uncovered 49 sacks of rice comprising 750kg bearing the Mangga label, 250kg of Nangka, 120kg of Serindit, 72kg of Angsa Mas and 24kg of Pisang.

"A 35-year-old man who was driving the van was detained for investigation," he said in a statement.

Preliminary investigations found that the rice was believed to have been brought in from Thailand through the illegal Pohon Tar base in Kuala Jambu before being transported to Pasir Puteh.

Radzi said the case had been referred to the Kelantan Padi and Rice Regulatory Department for further action under Section 20 of the National Padi and Rice Regulatory Act.

Apart from the rice, the authorities also seized the Nissan Vanette, valued at RM18,000, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM22,864.