1,040 seized plant saplings found infested with pests, diseases
RANTAU PANJANG: A total of 1,040 plant saplings seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) in two operations here were found to be infested with pests or diseases and will be destroyed.
In two operations conducted by the General Operations Force (GOF) in Rantau Panjang, a total of 1,040 plant saplings were seized and discovered to be infested with pests or diseases. These saplings, worth RM217,500, were among 5,770 seized from two lorries. The affected saplings will be destroyed through crushing and burial by the Kelantan Agriculture Department.
The seizures, valued at RM217,500, involved plants such as kenanga, batik kaffir lime, ixora, rhu, cherry, tecoma, keranji biji, and bunga tanjung. Both lorry drivers involved in the operations were found to lack proper documentation and had no prior criminal records. They were paid RM150 each for transporting the plants from an illegal jetty to a nursery in Rantau Panjang.
The seizures, which are investigated under Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, highlight the ongoing issue of illegal plant trading and the need for strict enforcement of quarantine regulations.
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