KOTA BARU: Authorities have thwarted various attempts to smuggle valuables through Kelantan borders including detaining 26 cows.
The herd, valued at RM130,000 was seized by the Malaysian Army’s Second Division when a team detected two men leading the livestock through an illegal route by crossing the Golok River, Thailand at 1.15am on Monday (Oct 14).
The Army then monitored their movements before approaching them, but the suspects fled to the Thai border.
"A police report related to the seizure of the livestock was made at the Nibong police station, Tanah Merah, while the animals were handed over to the Quarantine and Inspection Services Department in Rantau Panjang,” said a division headquarters spokesperson in a statement on Monday.
Meanwhile, police also arrested two men and seized 590 units of counterfeit handbags of various brands, estimated to be worth RM88,500 and believed to have been smuggled in from a neighbouring country, under Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan near Pasir Mas on Sunday (Oct 13)
Southeast General Operations Force Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the handbags were discovered after officers inspected a lorry that was stopped at a roadblock in Chabang Empat Salam, Pasir Mas, at 6.20pm.
He said the two suspects, aged 31 and 30, who were arrested, are believed to be couriers involved in smuggling the counterfeit handbags to the local market.
"The case is being investigated under the Trademark Act 2019, while the suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Rantau Panjang Police Station for further action," he said in a statement on Monday. - Bernama