IPOH: A late-night attempt by a syndicate to siphon off diesel from several petrol stations in Kinta, Perak, was uncovered during a raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said the operation was carried out at a petrol station in Batu Gajah at about 12.30am on Monday.
“A week-long surveillance operation led to the identification of a three-tonne bonded 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 yesterday.
The alleged diesel siphoning activities are believed to be linked to fuel sourced from several nearby petrol stations, he added.
Kamalludin said the syndicate was believed to be operating under the cover of darkness to avoid detection by the authorities when purchasing diesel before transferring the fuel into modified storage tanks.
“In the operation, a 38-year-old local lorry driver was detained to assist in investigations.
“The man could not produce any authorisation from the supply controller involving controlled goods,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said the total seizure, valued at RM23,094, included 200 litres of diesel, a lorry, two intermediate bulk container tanks, a pump, two sets of hoses and diesel purchase documents.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
