Penang KPDN seizes 27,000 litres of smuggled diesel

The domestic trade and cost of living ministry‘s (KPDN) Penang chapter has raided a diesel smuggling syndicate’s illegal warehouse beside Sungai Perai in Sungai Lokan, seizing 27,000 litres of subsidised diesel expected to be sold in the local market, Bernama reports.

Penang KPDN director S. Jegan said that the raid was conducted following two months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, with the enforcement team running the operation under Op Tiris 3.0 at 2 pm yesterday.

“The warehouse, located away from the main road, was likely chosen to avoid detection, with authorities using drones to monitor the area before moving in and arresting four local men,” he told reporters at the scene, adding that a lorry modified with a tank, a tanker and a 4×4 vehicle used for the smuggling were discovered.

Besides the diesel, investigators also found connecting pipes, documents related to diesel transactions and various equipment, all valued at RM260,800, including the three lorries, said Jegan.

The four men arrested, aged between 40 and 60, were three lorry drivers and one warehouse caretaker who worked for the syndicate. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122), Jegan said.

Diesel smuggling is nothing new in Malaysia, but it’s mostly to do with smuggling the diesel outside of the country. This case involves smuggling for local consumption. Diesel subsidies have been targeted for half a year now, which means not everybody pays the same price.

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