GOF Seizes 20 Smuggled Cattle in Trailer, Man Arrested

By Subaashinee Kupusamy,

3 OCTOBER: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 20 cattle valued at RM300,000, suspected of being smuggled from Thailand, during an operation on Tuesday. The operation, part of Op Taring Wawasan, took place along Jalan Panglima Bayu at around 3pm.

Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, the Southeast Brigade commander, confirmed that a 31-year-old local man was arrested in connection with the case. The GOF team from the Seventh Battalion had spotted the trailer and, upon stopping it, found the cattle packed inside.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was hired by a syndicate to transport the animals to buyers. The exact route and further details of the syndicate’s operations are under investigation.

The seized cattle have been handed over to the Veterinary Department for further action. Authorities are working to trace the origins of the animals and determine the full extent of the smuggling operation.

The case is being investigated under Section 36(1) of the Animal Act 1953, which deals with the illegal importation of livestock. The GOF is committed to stepping up efforts to curb smuggling activities, especially along the northern borders, where such incidents are becoming more frequent.

This latest bust highlights the continuous challenge law enforcement agencies face in combating smuggling syndicates that exploit Malaysia’s border regions for illegal trade as stated in NST.