A petrol smuggling operation that relied on purchasing fuel only once a day at different petrol stations to avoid detection was uncovered after authorities seized 300 litres of petrol abandoned in a vehicle at an oil palm plantation in Kampung Lalang Pepuyu on Tuesday.
The discovery was made at about 7pm during Op Taring Wawasan conducted by the General Operations Force (PGA) Southeast Brigade after personnel spotted a suspiciously driven Perodua Kenari in the area.
Southeast Brigade PGA commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the driver sped towards an oil palm plantation after realising he was being monitored by enforcement officers.
A pursuit was launched, but the suspect managed to escape after abandoning the vehicle deep inside the plantation. Officers later found the car with its driver’s window open and doors unlocked, indicating a hurried escape.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 10 plastic containers filled with approximately 300 litres of petrol believed to be intended for smuggling into Thailand.
Initial investigations revealed the syndicate’s strategy involved purchasing petrol from several stations around Jeli and Tanah Merah, particularly at locations believed to have lower levels of enforcement monitoring.
According to Ahmad Radzi, syndicate members would only refuel once per day at each station to avoid raising suspicion through repeated purchases at the same location.
The fuel would then be siphoned from vehicle tanks and transferred into plastic containers before being transported to illegal collection points near the border for onward smuggling.
Authorities believe the tactic was designed to disguise their activities and reduce the risk of detection by enforcement agencies.
The total value of the seizure, including the vehicle used in the operation, is estimated at RM11,116. The case has been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in Tanah Merah for further action under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961.
