TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) successfully thwarted a man's attempt to distribute 37,000kg of coconuts worth about RM185,000, which had been smuggled from Thailand last night.
The suspect was arrested in the Pengkalan Kubor area, along with a trailer used to transport the coconuts.
GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that the coconuts were discovered inside the trailer after GOF personnel stopped the vehicle at 8.15pm.
"The GOF was conducting Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan when they noticed the suspicious trailer passing through the area.
"Upon inspecting the trailer, which we suspected was coming from the Kelantan-Thailand border, they found 37,000kg of coconuts," he said in a statement.
Ros Azhan said that initial investigations revealed the 30-year-old suspect was hired by an individual to transport the coconuts to local buyers.
The suspect and the seized goods have been handed over to the battalion's base in Pengkalan Kubor.
He added that the case was being investigated under Regulations 4(2)(b) of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) Act 141.
Furthermore, he said that all three battalions stationed along the border in Kelantan had been instructed to strengthen their operations to curb various smuggling activities in the area.