KOTA BARU: About RM300,000 worth of firecrackers and fireworks meant for distribution during the coming Chinese New Year were seized by the Malaysian Border Security Agency in an operation at Jalan Kampung Air Banun near the Grik-Jeli road today.
Two lorries, valued at about RM100,000, which were used to transport the banned items from several illegal jetties along Sungai Golok, were also seized during the 9.35am operation.
The drivers of both lorries abandoned their vehicles and fled when they saw the agency’s road block.
The agency's Kelantan commander Mohd Asri Yahya said an eight-man team led by him stopped the two lorries as they travelled down Jalan Kampung Air Banun.
"The lorry drivers abandoned their lorries and fled on foot when we approached the vehicles.
“After checking the (vehicles), we found 300 boxes containing various types of firecrackers and fireworks.
“The items are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand," he told a press conference at his office here today.
He said initial investigation showed that the firecrackers and fireworks were for distribution outside the state for the coming festive season.
Mohd Asri said the seizure was the biggest such confiscation by the agency this year.