RANTAU PANJANG: The state Customs Department seized firecrackers worth about RM240,000 during a raid on a lorry at Kampung Laloh near Gua Musang, on Saturday.
The lorry driver was arrested during the 7pm operation.
According to Customs Department director Mohd Rakbi Mat Saud, a team from the Rantau Panjang enforcement unit stopped the vehicle as it passed the area.
“The team managed to spot the lorry after a week of observation.
“After stopping the vehicle, they discovered 300 boxes containing various types of firecrackers and fireworks, and later arrested the lorry driver,” he told a press conference here, today.
Mohd Rakbi said an initial investigation revealed that the contraband, with unpaid taxes worth more than RM69,000, was smuggled in from Thailand via the Golok River for distribution outside Kelantan.
“Our checks also revealed that the banned firecrackers and fireworks are meant for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration,” he said, adding that the seizure was the biggest made by the department this year.
The lorry driver has been remanded for further investigation, Mohd Rakbi added.
“We are investigating whether the suspect was hired by someone to transport the items out from Kelantan.
“We are also checking whether there is a smuggling syndicate involved in the case,” he said.
Mohd Rakbi also urged the public to continue providing information to help combat smuggling along the Kelantan-Thai border.
“We are offering rewards to those who provide genuine information that might lead to arrests,” he added.