BANDAR PERMAISURI: A lorry driver has been detained on suspicion of using forged permits to purchase subsidised petrol for sale to industrial operators.
Terengganu Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Mohd Mufsi Lat said the Malaysian man, in his 30s, was detained during an Ops Tiris 4.0 raid conducted at a petrol station in Merang near here at 7.30am on Saturday (May 23).
He said two drums containing 500 litres of subsidised petrol worth approximately RM1,600 were also seized.
"Surveillance was conducted for two weeks after suspicious activities involving subsidised controlled goods were detected at the petrol station.
"Inspections found that the lorry driver, who works with a travel agency, had 10 permits, eight of which were found to be invalid or fake," he told a press conference here on Saturday, adding that items seized during the operation, including a lorry, were valued at RM46,800.
Mohd Mufsi said purchases were made up to four times a day using permits left at petrol stations, adding that the case was being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Meanwhile, Mohd Mufsi said Terengganu branch of the ministry recorded 10 cases involving seizures amounting to RM220,409.70 under Ops Tiris 4.0, which was carried out from March 16 until Friday (May 22).
"The ministry has also carried out 1,614 inspection operations at various premises and petrol stations across the state since March 16," he said. – Bernama
