KOTA BARU: The high demand for firecrackers and fireworks from the neighbouring country has prompted smugglers operating along Kelantan/Thai border to work round-the-clock to cope with the demand.
These smugglers, mostly stationed in Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor, are willing to increase their trips across the Golok river to get supplies of the banned items from traders in the neighbouring country.
Sources said previously smugglers were active only during certain hours such as early in the morning until about 10am but due to the increased demand, now they were willing to work extra hours.
“They are now ready to work any time even till midnight or round-the-clock if needed.
“They are willing to work more hours than before due to the high profit they get from the buyers who are petty traders,” the sources said.
In some cases the petty traders were prepared to work as `part-time smugglers’ because of the good returns.
“They are willing to work with local smugglers to get more pocket money and get the firecrackers and fireworks from the illegal jetties located along the border before sending them to the destinations.
“This group changes its modus operandi from time to time to evade being arrested by the authority,” said the sources.
Meanwhile, a smuggler who did not want to be identified, said they had to operate carefully to avoid getting caught by border enforcement agency officers and some of them acted as guards or tontos.
The 27-year-old smuggler has been involved in the illegal work for more than 10 years.
It was learnt that each smuggler operating along Kelantan/Thai border would earn between RM3,000 and RM4,000 from the job depending on the amount of smuggled items brought in and the number of trips made.