By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
A lorry driver’s attempt to bring 3,000 kilograms (kg) of ketum leaves to Kelantan failed after the vehicle was detained by a team of officers and members of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) who carried out daily operations on patrol and static inspections of goods service vehicles last Sunday
Perak JPJ Head of Enforcement Division Mir Khairol Hafizal Mir Idris said, a small lorry was detained for inspection at 10.30pm at kilometre (km) 4.7 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) in front of the Gerik Enforcement Station.
“As a result of the inspection, it was found that the driver did not have any driver’s licence. Further investigation was carried out and the driver was ordered to drive the vehicle into the office area of the Gerik Enforcement Station for further action.
”From a check made on the chassis and engine number, the truck was found to be using a suspected fake registration number, ” he said.
Mir Khairol Hafizal said, in connection with that, the JPJ Gerik Enforcement Station took action to confiscate the lorry under the offence under Section 108(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Displaying a Vehicle Number.
” A JPJ(P)22 summons was also issued against the driver for driving a vehicle without having a driver’s licence,” he said.
He said that during the investigation, the Delivery Order (DO) handed in by the driver was grocery items for delivery to grocery stores around the state of Kelantan.
According to him, some officers and members of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA) who were on duty the next day, found that there was a strange smell coming from the lorry.
“The incident was reported to the Head of the JPJ Gerik Enforcement Station and an inspection order was issued to members to carry out an inspection.
“The member on duty opened the canvas of the lorry and found more than 30 black packages which contained ketum leaves and the rough weight overall was 3,000 kg.
“The case was referred to the Head of Station and a police report was made at the Bersia Police Station, Gerik,” he said.
