RM1m haul as GOF intercepts 15,000 coffee seedlings at Tanah Merah roadblock

KOTA BHARU, Sept 27 — The General Operations Force (GOF) made a significant seizure, intercepting 15,000 robusta coffee seedlings and a lorry valued at RM1 million during a roadblock at Lalang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah, on the night of September 26. Commanding Officer SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain disclosed that the 27-year-old driver of the lorry was apprehended during the operation at 11:30pm.

According to a statement released today, an examination of the lorry's cargo revealed the presence of 15,000 robusta coffee seedlings allegedly smuggled from Thailand. The estimated total value of the seizure was RM1 million, encompassing the lorry valued at RM250,000 and the coffee seedlings valued at RM750,000.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had procured the seedlings from an illicit dock in the Lalang Pepuyu area for the purpose of delivering them to a nursery in Johor for a fee of RM300 per delivery. All the seized seedlings have been turned over to the Kota Bharu Agriculture Department for further examination, as they are suspected to harbor pests.

SAC Ahmad Radzi explained that the seedlings will undergo inspection before disposal, while a fine may be imposed if the pest-related offense is confirmed. The case is currently being investigated under the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167).