The Perak branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has seized 3,200 litres of diesel along with a modified lorry during a raid on an unlicensed storage facility in Kampung Ayer Puteh, Simpang, on Thursday.
Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said the 6.30am operation, conducted under Ops Tiris 4.0, was launched following intelligence on suspected diesel diversion activities believed to involve dishonest lorry drivers from transport companies.
He said a week-long surveillance operation led authorities to a three-tonne Nissan Diesel cargo lorry suspected of being used in the illegal activity.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle had been modified with an additional tank capacity of about 4,500 litres installed in the cargo area to store siphoned diesel.
Kamalludin said the syndicate was believed to operate during early morning hours to avoid detection by enforcement authorities.
He added that the group’s modus operandi involved purchasing and transferring diesel into modified tanks before storing it at the premises.
A 36-year-old local man, believed to be the owner of the storage site, was also arrested to assist investigations.
Authorities said the suspect failed to produce any valid documentation from the Controller of Supplies authorising the handling of controlled goods.
During the operation, KPDN also seized a lorry, two IBC tanks, three pumps with hoses, 15 jerry cans, 18 drums, a fibreglass tank and related documents, with the total value of seizures estimated at RM102,909.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
Offenders may face fines of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, while corporate bodies may be fined up to RM2 million for a first offence.
KPDN has urged the public to assist authorities by reporting any suspected subsidised goods leakage activities to help curb misuse and ensure government subsidies reach the intended groups.
