KOTA BARU: The Kelantan branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has seized more than eight tonnes of subsidised cooking oil packets in an integrated operation in Kampung Bunohan, Tumpat.
Its director Azman Ismail said that in the Sunday (Dec 21) afternoon operation, conducted jointly with the Pengkalan Kubor Region 3 Marine Police Force, a lorry bearing a local registration number was detected under suspicious circumstances.
He said that after enforcement officers trailed the lorry and intercepted it, the driver and two individuals believed to be his assistants fled into the nearby bushes.
"A search of the lorry uncovered about 450 boxes of branded subsidised packet cooking oil, suspected to have been diverted for unauthorised use.
"The team seized the lorry, valued at RM45,000, along with the subsidised cooking oil weighing 8,330kg and valued at RM20,825, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM65,825," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 22).
Azman said the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possession of controlled goods with the intent to commit an offence.
"Efforts to track down the suspects were carried out for nearly two hours in the surrounding areas, but they could not be located.
"No one has come forward to claim ownership of the vehicle and the goods," he added. – Bernama
