Johor cops seize 46,000l of subsidised diesel, illicit ciggies worth RM7.7mil in two separate raids

JOHOR BARU: Police have seized 46,000 litres of subsidised diesel and more than 1,000 boxes of illicit cigarettes found inside two separate warehouses during a raid at an industrial area in Kempas here.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said in the first case, following intelligence gathering, they arrested a 42-year-old local man and seized a bonded lorry ferrying subsidised diesel at a petrol station along Jalan Harimau in Taman Abad here at around 2am on Monday (Sept 5).

“Following the first arrest, police then arrested a 29-year-old local suspect at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah some 30 minutes later.

“Police also seized more than RM17,000 in cash from the two suspects. We believe the money was to buy the subsidised diesel around here,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday (Sept 6).

Comm Kamarul Zaman added that further checks on the two suspects found that they had been previously arrested under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

He also said that based upon the first two arrests, police then carried out a raid at a subsidised diesel storage facility inside a warehouse located along Jalan Belati in the Maju Jaya industrial park at around 11.30am on the same date.

“Police arrested three more foreign male suspects, aged between 26 and 34 years old, and seized 46,000l of subsidised diesel worth more than RM105,000,” he said, adding that the total value of the seized items was at RM159,722 and the case was being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Meanwhile, in the second case, Comm Kamarul Zaman said checks at another warehouse, located not far from the subsidised diesel storage premises, found 1,029 boxes of illicit cigarettes.

“Checks on these cigarettes found that the customs duties and taxes had not been paid,”he said, adding that the total seizure value of these illicit cigarettes was at RM7.7mil, including tax.

Comm Kamarul Zaman added that the case was being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

He said police would continue to carry out operations to put an end to misappropriation of subsidised diesel as well as smuggling of liquor and cigarettes that have caused financial losses to the country’s revenue.

Comm Kamarul Zaman warned that police would take action against any individuals found to be involved in such illegal activities and urged those with information to channel it to the nearest police station.