KEPALA BATAS, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- A total of 169,440 kilogrammes (kg) of various types of unlicensed controlled fertilisers, valued at RM508,470, were seized, and the company owner was arrested, during a raid at a warehouse in Permatang Saga, Pinang Tunggal, yesterday.
The 3 pm operation was carried out by the General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade Intelligence Branch team, who subsequently handed over the case to the Penang branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
Its commander SAC Shahrum Hashim said that the team had been gathering intelligence since the previous week, before conducting the raid. Upon inspection, they discovered several types of fertilisers, along with processing equipment and materials believed to be used in the production of fertilisers.
“We suspect that the warehouse was processing unlicensed or unapproved fertiliser. Our inspection confirmed the presence of equipment and materials linked to fertiliser production,” he said.
“In the raid, we also arrested a man who is the owner of the company, and we handed the case over to the Penang KPDN because a thorough inspection found that the warehouse was carrying out fertiliser processing activities without a licence,” he told reporters at the warehouse, today.
Meanwhile, State KPDN director, S. Jegan said that initial investigations revealed that the 71-year-old warehouse owner, who was arrested, was believed to be conducting wholesale fertiliser sales without a valid licence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Jegan added that a large quantity of fertilisers, packaging equipment, and production tools were found on the premises. The owner admitted to having used the warehouse for these activities for the past five years.
“The seizure included various types of fertilisers, such as 231 jumbo fertiliser units, weighing 700kg; 60 bags of compound fertiliser; and 91 bags of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) compound fertiliser; amounting to 169,440kg in total, with an estimated value of RM508,470,” he said.
In addition, items of equipment, including machines for packaging, grinding, mixing, compressing, transferring, and weighing, as well as empty sacks, were also seized. The total value of the seized goods, including the equipment, amounted to RM541,222.
Jegan further noted that several relevant documents were seized to aid ongoing investigations. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
“The fertilisers seized are controlled goods, and, based on our investigation, they were intended for sale to farmers across the state. We are taking strict action against the company, but we will also assist the owner in obtaining a licence to sell fertiliser wholesale.
He added that, according to feedback from farmers who had purchased the fertiliser produced by the company, the product was highly regarded for yielding large quantities of paddy, while being sold at competitive market prices.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial