GEORGE TOWN: A diesel smuggling syndicate was crippled by marine police during Ops Taring Landai on Wednesday (Nov 1).
Region One Marine Police Force deputy commanding officer Supt Rohizan Mohamad Saaid said in the 7.30am raid on Nov 1, police detained six men, including two Thai nationals, at a premise in Bukit Kayu Hitam Industrial Area.
"During the raid, we seized 131,040 litres of subsidised diesel worth RM543,816.
"We also seized four tankers worth RM640,000 and other equipment believed to be used by the syndicate worth RM15,680," he said in a press conference at Batu Uban marine police base on Thursday (Nov 2).
He said the suspects, aged between 23 and 60, were believed to be part of the smuggling syndicate and had been active since four months ago.
He said further investigation revealed that a small truck owned by a local resident was used to fill diesel at petrol stations in Perlis and Kedah before being transferred into the tanks of a local company.
"However, the tanker truck would then be driven to a location approximately 5km from the border gate before the fuel is transferred to a neighbouring country's tanker truck," he said.
Supt Rohizan said that they do not rule out the possibility that the diesel was transferred into the neighbouring country's tanker truck to facilitate the process of crossing the border.
He said police are still investigating how far is the involvement of the suspects in the incident.
He said the case has been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) for further action.
"The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 by KPDN," he said.
