The General Operations Force (PGA) seized 493 kilogrammes of subsidised cooking oil after detaining a man during a raid in Kampung Binjal Tuesday afternoon.
The operation, carried out at around 3pm by Battalion 7, was launched following intelligence and public information related to alleged cooking oil smuggling activities in the area.
Southeast Brigade PGA commander Ahmad Radzi Hussain said officers inspected a vehicle parked in front of a premises during the raid.
“Checks on the vehicle uncovered 20 boxes containing 493 packets of subsidised cooking oil. The suspect who was inside the vehicle failed to provide any valid documents for the controlled goods,” he said in a statement today.
The 33-year-old suspect reportedly claimed that the cooking oil supply had been purchased from wholesalers in Pasir Mas and Kota Bharu before being transported for sale at his employer’s grocery shop in Lemal, Pasir Mas.
According to the suspect, he had been working as a shop assistant for his employer, known as “Ustaz”, for almost a month.
Authorities also revealed that the cooking oil found inside the vehicle was allegedly left by the employer at a location that did not possess a valid permit for storing controlled goods.
The total value of the seized items, including the vehicle, was estimated at more than RM31,000.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, while all seized goods have been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living office in Pasir Mas for further action.
