BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) foiled an attempt to smuggle 10,200 litres of diesel, worth about RM30,600, at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) here.
Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander Senior Asst Comm Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir said the seizure was made on Tuesday (Aug 12) morning after an inspection of three trailer lorries and three pickup trucks.
All the vehicles were found to contain subsidised diesel in modified tanks for suspected smuggling purposes.
The three lorries were detained at the heavy vehicle exit lane after passing Customs inspection on their way to Thailand at 8.45am, while the three pickups were detained earlier at 7.30am at the Malaysian exit lane after passing through Immigration.
The vehicles were impounded for further action under Section 6 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"The total value of the seizure, including vehicles, amounted to RM380,600," SAC Nasaruddin told the media later.
He said all the vehicle drivers involved, aged 40 to 60, were arrested.
SAC Nasaruddin said his team believes a syndicate is smuggling subsidised fuel out of the country for sale as far away as Myanmar.
"Perhaps diesel is taken from gas stations in Malaysia and industrial storage facilities. Their modus operandi is varied, and this is one way they obtain it," he said.
At the same press conference, SAC Nasaruddin said the AKPS also issued 21 Notices of Refusal of Entry (NPM) on Monday (Aug 11) and Tuesday to foreign nationals suspected of not being genuine tourists and not meeting entry requirements as visitors under Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He said they comprised four male Chinese nationals, two Thai men and 13 Thai women, one male Indian national and a Pakistani man.
"All of them were ordered to return to their respective countries of origin via the same route.
"This entry refusal process was carried out according to standard operating procedures and departmental circulars in effect.
"No seizures were made and there were no criminal elements or enforcement investigations in this case," he added. – Bernama
