IPOH: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry seized 200 litres of diesel in a raid at a petrol station in Batu Gajah on Monday (May 25) night.
Its Perak director, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, said the 12.30am raid was conducted following intelligence on alleged diesel siphoning activities linked to fuel sourced from several nearby petrol stations.
"A week-long surveillance operation led to the identification of a three-tonne bonded Mitsubishi lorry suspected of being used in the activity.
"Investigations found that the vehicle had been modified with an additional tank, with a capacity of around 2,000 litres, installed in the cargo area to store diesel,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 26).
Kamalludin Ismail said the syndicate was believed to operate late at night to avoid detection by the authorities, with its modus operandi involving purchasing diesel and transferring it into modified storage tanks.
"A 38-year-old local lorry driver was detained to assist investigations.
"The man could not produce any authorisation from the supply controller for dealings involving controlled goods,” he said.
He added that authorities also seized 200 litres of suspected diesel, a lorry, two Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks, a pump, two sets of hoses and diesel purchase documents, with the total seizure valued at an estimated RM23,094.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974. – Bernama
