TUMPAT: Firecracker and firework smugglers along the Kelantan/Thai border are most active in bringing the contraband items into the country between midnight and dawn.
Pengkalan Kubur marine commanding officer Assistant Superintendent Ahmad Amri Abdul Rahman said the time period is ideal for smugglers, as fewer enforcement officers are on duty at this time.
However, the smugglers will soon be in for a big shock, as marine officers and personnel from other agencies will be working round-the-clock to curb their activities.
"We determined that smugglers will begin bringing in (a large amount of) banned firecrackers and fireworks into the state ahead of the coming Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration – (and so we have redoubled our efforts).
"We will conduct regular operations along the Golok river to stop this menace," Ahmad Amri said after briefing reporters on the latest seizure of firecrackers at the marine officers’ base here, today.
On the seizure, Ahmad Amri said his personnel seized about RMRM280,000 worth of firecrackers and fireworks at the illegal Zulkifli jetty near Tualang here last night.
However, no one was arrested in the 9.39pm operation.
He added that two lorries which were used to transport the items, valued at about RM300,000, were also seized.