Latest news with #RosAzhan
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes RM595,000 worth of pork carcasses and lorry in Kelantan
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 8,910kg of pork carcasses and a lorry, both valued at about RM595,000, in an operation here on June 19. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said a lorry driver and his assistant were also arrested for possessing the carcasses, which were believed to have been smuggled from Thailand. He said the GOF team from the Ninth Battalion stopped the suspected lorry as it passed through Kampung Bukit Tandak at about 4pm. "Upon inspecting the lorry, GOF personnel found 8,910kg of pork carcasses in the rear of the vehicle. "The driver failed to produce valid documentation for the goods, which are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand," he said today. Ros Azhan said the 37-year-old driver and his 43-year-old assistant were believed to be delivering the meat to the local market. "The total seizure, including the lorry, is estimated to be worth about RM595,000 and has been handed over to the Kelantan Veterinary Department for further action," he added. The case is being investigated under Section 36(1) of the Animals Act 1953. Separately, he said a 24-year-old man was arrested for selling ketum leaves and ketum juice at a house in Jalan Kedai Lama here today. "In the 10.30am raid, GOF personnel found 9kg of ketum leaves, 12 packets of ketum juice, and RM2,500 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal activity," he said. He added that the total seizure was estimated at RM3,220 and the case has been handed over to the Pasir Mas Narcotics Crime Investigation Division for further action. "The suspect also tested positive for Benzodiazepines. The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952 and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he added.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizures soar to RM172mil with 878 arrests
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) recorded seizures worth over RM172 million in the first six months of this year, a fivefold increase compared to RM34 million during the same period last year. Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizures were linked to a total of 937 cases, which also saw the arrest of 878 individuals, including 813 men. "The majority of the smuggling activities detected involved subsidised goods such as cooking oil, petrol, and diesel, with 181 cases recorded. "Smuggling of grocery items, seedlings, rice, and livestock were among the most common offences," he said when contacted today. Ros Azhan said the GOF continues to tighten border security to curb ongoing smuggling activities. "Compared to last year, there has been a significant increase in the value of seized goods, indicating that smugglers remain persistent despite heightened enforcement efforts. "Although tackling smuggling is challenging and perpetrators are constantly finding new ways to bypass security, "I want to remind them that firm action will be taken against anyone caught committing cross-border crimes," he said.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes Thai saplings, lorry worth RM400,000 over disease fears
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized 10,000 plant saplings and a lorry worth about RM400,000 over concerns the plants may carry harmful disease. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said a 34-year-old lorry driver was also arrested during the operation. A GOF team from the Ninth Battalion stopped the lorry near the Gual Tinggi health clinic around 11am, he said. "After checking the vehicle, they found 5,000 Barbados cherry saplings and 5,000 clove flower saplings inside it. "The GOF personnel believe the plants may be infested with harmful pests and disease. "They then detained the lorry driver and confiscated the plant saplings. The value of the seizure, including the lorry, is RM400,000," he added. Ros Azhan said initial investigations showed the saplings were headed to a local nursery. In a separate operation, the GOF seized various types of cosmetic products, estimated to be worth RM28,000, at an illegal jetty in Tumpat on Sunday. The suspected smugglers, however, fled to Thailand by boat upon realising the presence of the GOF team.
New Straits Times
18-06-2025
- New Straits Times
RM182,000 worth of vapes seized in Tumpat raid
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force's 9th Battalion (GOF9) seized various types of electronic cigarettes worth an estimated RM182,000 during a raid on unlicensed premises in Kampung Kelaboran, Tumpat, yesterday afternoon. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made after a 31-year-old man at the location failed to produce valid documents or a business licence from the Tumpat District Council (MDT) relating to the sale of electronic cigarettes. "During the 1.45pm raid, which was conducted jointly with the council, checks uncovered an assortment of vape devices and liquids," he said in a statement today. All seized items were handed over to the council for further action under Section 4(5)(c) of the MDT 2019 Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing By-laws. In a separate incident, six people — including four illegal immigrants from Thailand — were detained at an unauthorised river jetty in Pangkalan Gergaji, Rantau Panjang, last night. Ros Azhan said the suspects, aged between 19 and 44, were caught at 7pm during a patrol under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan. "Checks revealed that five of the suspects had no valid travel documents and were detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. "A Thai woman without any form of identification was also taken into custody and is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act," he said. All suspects were taken to the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further action.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
RM3.44mil in smuggled plants seized, two lorry drivers arrested in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: Separate operations under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan led to the seizure of over RM3.44 million worth of ornamental plants, believed to be smuggled from Thailand, and the arrest of two lorry drivers. The raids which were carried out over the weekend by the General Operations Force's (GOF) 18th and EightBattalions in Jeram Perdah and Chabang Empat here, also resulting in the arrests of two local men and the confiscation of two lorries used in the smuggling activities. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the first incident occurred on Sunday at 7.30pm when the GOF personnel from the 18th Battalion spotted a suspicious lorry near Pos Pok Teh Kana. "Checks revealed 15,000 green bamboo plants and 30 casuarina trees in the vehicle, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand," he said in a statement today. Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, a 23-year-old man, was also detained. The total seizure, including the lorry, was valued at RM1.02 million. Later the same night, at around 10pm, he said the second team from the Eighth Battalion stopped another suspicious lorry along Jalan Kampung Ana, Chabang Empat. Inside, officers found 115 black wood bonsai trees, 3,000 jasmine plants and various types of flowers, Ros Azhan said. The estimated value of the seizure was RM2.42 million. The 42-year-old driver, who was arrested, told the GOF personnel that he was delivering the plants to a nursery in Perak, Ros Azhan said.
