TUMPAT: Twelve heads of smuggled cattle worth about RM26,000 were seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) in an operation at Kampung Nechang here today.
During the operation, the GOF members also arrested a lorry driver and his attendant for possession of the smuggled cattle.
GOF Ninth Battalion commander Superintendent Nor Azizan Yusof said the GOF members were conducting their normal surveillance along the area when they spotted a lorry passing the route at about 5.20pm.
"The GOF members directed the lorry driver to stop the vehicle but he refused and fled from the area. The GOF members gave chase the lorry and managed to force the vehicle to a stop a short while later.
"Upon checking the lorry, they found 12 heads of cattle suspected to have been smuggled in from Thailand," he said in a statement tonight.
Nor Azizan said an initial investigation showed that the cattle were meant to be distributed to local suppliers.
He added that the lorry driver and his attendant, both locals, were held for further action.
He said the cattle and the lorry, valued at about RM100,000, were later handed over to the Veterinary Services Department.