Kelantan Forestry Department seizes RM1.425 million worth of machinery and timber in a sawmill raid in Tanah Merah, detaining four men
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Forestry Department seized heavy machinery, processing machines and 290 logs of various sizes and species, with an estimated total value of RM1.425 million, in a raid on a sawmill in Kampung Bukit Kecil, Tanah Merah today.
General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the raid at about 2 pm was carried out by the GOF 8th Battalion Intelligence team from Pengkalan Chepa, with the assistance of the Tanah Merah District Forestry Department through ‘Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan’.
He said four men aged between 26 and 45, including a factory clerk, were detained during the operation to assist in the investigation.
Among the seized items were Caterpillar heavy machinery worth about RM800,000, two band saw machines (RM500,000), two cross-cut machines (RM70,000), 13 saw blades (RM26,000) and 290 logs worth about RM29,000, he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Radzi said checks found that the factory clerk had a valid Wood-Based Industry Certificate until Dec 31, 2026, but failed to produce a timber removal permit from the Forestry Department.
He said a subsequent inspection by the Tanah Merah District Forestry Department found that the timber at the premises was believed to be untaxed, while the machinery was suspected of being used to process the wood.
He added that all suspects and case exhibits were handed over to the Tanah Merah District Forestry Department for further action, with the case being investigated under Section 84 of the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313).
