A bush in Wang Kelian Hilir, located along the Malaysia-Thai border has been discovered as a major transit point for several types of firecrackers and sparkles from Thailand by the Anti-Smuggling Unit (UPP).
Perlis CID chief, Supt Mat Nasir Hussein said a team from the Padang Besar UPP on patrol in the area around 12.30pm yesterday stumbled upon a suspicious looking pick-up truck with Thai registration plate.
“Upon investigating the area, the UPP found 351 boxes of assorted firecrackers worth about RM500,000,” he told reporters here today.
He said police believe the boxes would remain in transit for a day in the area before being handed over to local masterminds and marketed in southern states, following an expected high demand during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.
“Smuggling is rampant here due to the proximity of the location to the Malaysia-Thailand border. Compared to 13 previous cases, this is the largest seizure this year,” said Mat Nasir.
Following the raid, three Thai nationals aged between 20 and 27 and their car was detained, he said.
“UPP will continue to patrol the area in conjunction with the New Year and Chinese New Year celebrations to prevent smuggling activities around the Malaysia-Thailand border,” he said.
The New Straits Times Online......