A man’s attempt to transport nearly 1.2 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil believed to be diverted for illegal distribution was uncovered after his vehicle was trailed for about 30 kilometres before he was arrested in an Ops Tiris 4.0 operation in Kampung Pauh Lima on Saturday afternoon.
Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) deputy director Aswadi Jaafar said the 43-year-old suspect was detained at about 3.20pm after enforcement officers tracked a Proton Exora from the Tok Bali area.
He said the integrated operation involved KPDN Kelantan’s Intelligence and Special Operations Unit (URTK), the Marine Police Force, the Pasir Puteh District Police Headquarters’ Patrol Car Unit (MPV), and KPDN Pasir Mas branch.
“Intelligence and surveillance were carried out before a suspicious vehicle was detected in Tok Bali.
“The vehicle was then followed for nearly 30km before it was stopped at Jalan Hulu Masjid Pauh Lima, Kampung Pauh 5,” he said when contacted on Sunday.
He added that inspections inside the vehicle uncovered 1,292 kilograms of various brands of subsidised cooking oil suspected to be intended for diversion activities.
The total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, was estimated at RM13,230.
Aswadi said the suspect claimed to be living near the border area and said it was his first time being detained for such an offence.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possession of controlled goods with intent to commit an offence.
He added that KPDN Kelantan will continue strengthening intelligence and joint enforcement operations with other agencies, especially in border areas and high-risk routes, to curb leakage of subsidised controlled goods.
