6 days Ago By Aizat Sharif
PADANG BESAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled a major smuggling operation involving frozen chicken feet and liver destined for Thailand. Over 31,200kg of poultry products worth more than RM1.8 million were seized from an abandoned warehouse here yesterday.
In a 7pm raid, two Thai nationals aged 22 and 34, believed to be caretakers of the facility located in the Padang Besar Industrial Area near Jalan Kangar–Padang Besar, were arrested.Northern Brigade Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Shahrum Hashim stated that the operation was the result of two weeks of intelligence gathering on the syndicate's activities."Prior to the raid, our team observed two Thailand-registered Toyota Hilux pickup trucks entering the premises.
When we moved in, the suspects were caught red-handed loading frozen poultry parts into the vehicles."Checks revealed that one of the trucks was carrying 1,400kg of potatoes and 5,200kg of frozen chicken feet. Further inspection of the warehouse uncovered five container units that had been converted into cold storage.
"Inside were boxes and plastic wrapped packages of frozen chicken feet and liver, weighing a total of 41,200kg," he told reporters today.He said investigations indicate that the warehouse was being used as a transit point before the items were smuggled into Thailand using pickup trucks, often disguised as grocery deliveries.He added that the frozen chicken products did not have valid veterinary health certificates under Section 13 of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) Act, which is mandatory for export to neighbouring countries.
"Additionally, both suspects were found to be without valid work permits and are now being investigated under immigration regulations," he said.The GOF also seized the two pickup trucks, five storage containers, a forklift, and the potatoes, all estimated to be worth RM1.893 million.
"We believe the containers have been here for some time and that the warehouse has been in use since 2022, despite appearing abandoned and inactive," he said.He added that the poultry items were not packaged properly according to health standards, with blood still visibly dripping from the chicken parts, posing a potential health hazard.The suspects have been handed over to the Padang Besar district police headquarters for further investigation.
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