KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcers detained a lorry driver and seized 3,500 litres of diesel suspected to have been misappropriated in Ops Tiris (Integrated) 4.0 at Jalan Air Jernih, Setapak, Friday (April 24).
Kuala Lumpur Domestic Trade chief enforcement officer Mohd Shahran Mohd Arshad said the lorry driver in his 20s was detained at 6.40pm when the lorry he was driving stopped next to SK Marian Convent.
He said the lorry had earlier been detected in suspicious circumstances after leaving a petrol station at Jalan Kepong, prompting a special team to tail the vehicle. The lorry was later found to have entered another petrol station in Jalan Kuching to refuel.
"Further inspection of the driver and the vehicle found that it had been modified with the installation of four Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks at the rear, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres. It was also equipped with a suction pump believed to have been used to transfer diesel from the original tank to the additional tanks.
"Checks found that the driver did not possess valid documents for the handling, storage and possession of fuel, which is a scheduled controlled item. He was subsequently detained on suspicion of committing offences under the Supply Control Act 1961," he said in a statement Saturday (April 25).
Mohd Shahran said a total of 3,500 litres of diesel was seized, with an estimated value of RM17,920 at unsubsidised prices or RM7,525 at subsidised rates. The total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, equipment and other items, is estimated at RM52,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 10 of the Supply Control Act 1961.
He added that Kuala Lumpur branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will continue to carry out inspections, patrols and undercover operations to detect the misappropriation of controlled goods and will not compromise with any party that fails to comply with the provisions of the Act.
"Firm legal action will be taken against any individual or syndicate involved in such activities or found to be in breach of existing regulations," he said. - Bernama
