KOTA KINABALU: A 31-year-old local man was apprehended, and 206 litres of diesel were seized by authorities for the abuse of controlled goods during an Ops Tiris 3 operation on Monday (Aug 5) in Penampang district.
An enforcement team from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sabah branch office tracked a lorry attempting to purchase a large quantity of fuel at a gas station along Jalan Datuk Panglima Banting around 11am.
The Ministry’s Sabah director, Georgie Abas, said the suspect, who drove the lorry, failed to present any documents or approval from the Ministry to purchase and carry the diesel.
"Further inspection found an additional fibre tank suspected to be filled with 206 litres of diesel at the back of the lorry. The lorry and diesel were confiscated as there were no proper documents for the additional tank," he said.
The total seizure was estimated to be RM30,442.90, and the man is being held to assist investigations.
"The case will be investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for unlawful possession of controlled articles with the intention of committing an offence," Georgie added.
This latest case follows a similar incident last week, also in Penampang, where two men in a four-wheel drive and a lorry were caught purchasing large quantities of diesel illegally.
