GOF Arrests Three Men, Seizes 600 Rubber Logs

KOTA BHARU, June 9 (Bernama) -- The Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) nabbed three men and seized three lorries carrying 600 rubber logs without a valid permit during an operation in Kampung Tok Pelanduk, Pasir Mas, today.

Southeast Brigade GOF commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the arrests were made at about 3.45 pm through Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan which was carried out by GOF’s 8th Battalion in collaboration with the Kelantan State Forestry Department.

He said GOF members who were on patrol had spotted three lorries in suspicious conditions before stopping and inspecting the vehicles.

"The inspection found that all three lorries were carrying rubber logs and their drivers failed to present a valid forest produce removal permit from the Forestry Department. Following this, three local men aged between 38 and 65 were detained for further investigation," he said in a statement today.

According to him, the seizure involved three Isuzu lorries and 600 rubber logs with a total value estimated at RM456,000.

"The case is being investigated under Section 84 of the National Forestry Act 1984 for transferring forest produce without a valid permit," he said.

Ahmad Radzi said all suspects along with the seized items had been handed over to the Kelantan State Forestry Department for further action.

He said GOF would continue to intensify patrols and monitoring to combat illegal forest produce transfer activities as well as violations of related laws in border areas and throughout the state.

-- BERNAMA