GOF Seize Fireworks And Firecrackers Worth Nearly RM3 Million

KOTA BHARU, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) seized 1,031 boxes of various fireworks and firecrackers worth RM3.09 million during a raid on a warehouse in Kampung Pasir Tumboh here, recently.

GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the raid, conducted under Ops Taring Wawasan, was carried out at 12.10 am on Feb 4 by the Kuantan GOF 7th Battalion intelligence unit, with assistance from the Kota Bharu District Police Headquarters (IPD) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division.

"An inspection of the premises led to the discovery of the items stored without valid documentation. We also seized a mobile phone valued at RM2,000.

"Four local men, aged between 20 and 24, who were at the premises, were detained for further investigations under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957," he said when contacted today.

He added that initial investigations suggested that the supplies were obtained from a supplier in Masjid Tanah, Melaka, and transported to the warehouse in stages last January for the upcoming Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

In a separate development, Ahmad Radzi said his team also seized a Smith & Wesson Model 3914 pistol loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition following the arrest of three men at the roadside of Jalan Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, on Feb 6.

He said the arrests were made at about 8.30 pm by a team from the GOF 7th Battalion, together with the Criminal Investigation and Narcotics Criminal Investigation divisions of the Tumpat IPD.

"Prior to the arrests, personnel on duty spotted a Proton Saga BLM and a Modenas Kriss motorcycle parked suspiciously on the road shoulder near a carpet shop in Pengkalan Kubor.

"Initial checks found three men, aged 25, 26, and 33, at the location. One of the suspects attempted to flee on the motorcycle but fell into a nearby drain before being apprehended," he said.

Ahmad Radzi said preliminary urine screenings showed two of the three suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.

"Initial investigations indicate that the pistol was believed to have been obtained from a Thai national in Tak Bai and smuggled through an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor for a fee of RM1,500.

"The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said, adding that police are also tracking down an individual known as 'Abe Keydey' to assist in the investigation.

-- BERNAMA