BAU: Two local men’s attempt to smuggle 12,300kg of Holland onions into a neighbouring country was thwarted by the army last night (May 7).
The incident occurred around 9.30 pm when soldiers from the First Infantry Division noticed two suspicious lorries at the Empaling oil palm plantation in Kampung Stass, about 400 metres from the Malaysia-Indonesia border.
A spokesman for the Army Eastern Field Command Headquarters said the lorries with covered cargos, were intercepted as they appeared to be trying to enter Indonesia via an illegal route.
Further inspections led to the discovery of 5,300kg of Holland onions in the cargo bed of the first lorry, and another 7,000kg of Holland onions in the second lorry. The onions are valued at RM61,500.
The lorry drivers, aged 32 and 53, were arrested. The total value of the seizure, including the lorries, are estimated to be at RM181,500.
The lorry drivers and seized goods were handed over to Bau police for further action.
The army reiterated its commitment to fortify border control measures at the Malaysia-Indonesia border to safeguard the state’s sovereignty against illegal entries, smuggling, and cross-border criminal activities.
