RANTAU PANJANG: A lorry driver thought he could escape the authorities by declaring a lesser amount of frozen chicken he brought from Thailand when passing the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex here yesterday.
However, he was wrong when his tactic was noticed by General Operations Force (GOF) members after he travelled about one kilopmetre away from the complex.
GOF Seventh Battalion commanding officer Superintendent Azhari Nusi said the 24-year-old lorry driver was nabbed in front of a school in Banggol Kulim.
“The GOF’s strike force spotted the lorry leaving the complex around 4.50pm yesterday and suspecting something amiss, they decided to follow the vehicle.
“The GOF members had ordered the lorry driver to stop when it reached Banggol Kulim about 1km from the complex and demanded him to produce the invoice of the goods inside his lorry.
Upon checking the vehicle, GOF members discovered the quantity of the frozen chicken was not the same as stated in the invoice,” he said.
Upon further checks, Azhari said the GOF members discovered 9,840kg of frozen chickens worth RM98,400 and later detained the lorry driver who is from Machang.
He said the GOF members also seized the lorry valued about RM270,000.
He added that the lorry driver was being held for further investigations.
“We suspect the lorry driver is working with certain individuals to carry out these activities.
“They have made false declarations on the invoice to avoid paying extra taxes,” he said.
He said the case has been handed over to Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) for further action. NEWS STRAITS TIMES/TODAY ONLINE