THE general operations force (GOF) has uncovered the use of shipping containers to smuggle ketum leaves to a neighbouring country.

This following a raid in Padang Besar yesterday, said Pangkalan Hulu GOF 18th Battalion commanding officer Supt Ramli Wan Salin.

He said the team had been monitoring the situation for a week.

The suspects would bring the ketum leaves supplies be filled into the containers before being shipped abroad, he said.

“At 3pm yesterday, the GOF raided the site of a cargo company and found almost 700kg of ketum leaves hidden in two containers,” he said in a news conference here. The leaves are estimated to be worth RM21,000.

Ramli said a 41-year-old suspect believed to be the container manager was arrested. The GOF also seized two containers and a motorcycle worth RM50,000.

The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952  and will be handed over to the Padang Besar district police headquarters for further action. 

Meanwhile, in Kelantan, the GOF seized 6,345kg of smuggled Siamese rice and arrested nine individuals in a special operation at Pasar Besar Wakaf Bharu in Padand Besar yesterday.

GOF 7th Battalion commanding officer Supt Azhari Nusi said the operation was launched to foil rice smuggling activities at the Malaysia-Thailand border.

He said runners were charging between RM20 and RM30 per trip to transport the rice in small quantities using various types of vehicles to avoid detection by the authorities. – Bernama, September 28, 2021.