An attempt to divert nearly 40 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) valued at RM424,210 was successfully foiled in a joint operation involving the Royal Malaysia Police Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 4 Sabah and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Sandakan branch at Jalan Check Point Batu 32, here, yesterday.
The operation, carried out at about 11.45am, also led to the arrest of four men aged between 34 and 44, comprising two locals and two Indonesian nationals.
PPM Region 4 Sabah Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amri Abd Rahman, said officers detected suspicious activity involving the transfer of crude palm oil from a tanker lorry into a three-ton box truck.
Further inspection at the scene uncovered equipment believed to have been used in the illegal transfer, including six intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) with a capacity of 1,000 litres each, an engine pump, two drums, and a hose.
Such illegal diversion of controlled commodities is seen as a growing concern, particularly in ensuring transparency within the palm oil supply chain.
Authorities also seized a tanker lorry, a three-ton box truck, and approximately 39,980 kilogrammes of crude palm oil during the operation.
The four individuals present at the scene were detained to assist investigations into the case.
The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM424,210, highlighting the scale of the attempted diversion.
The case is being investigated under Regulation 5(1)(d) of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Licensing Regulations 2005 (PPLMSM 2005).
Ahmad Amri also revealed that from January to May this year, PPM Region 4 Sabah recorded seven cases involving breaches of the same regulations, with total seizures amounting to RM7.46 million and 19 individuals arrested.
He added that enforcement efforts will continue to be intensified to curb illegal activities involving strategic commodities, including smuggling and regulatory violations.
Authorities stressed that such operations are crucial to safeguarding national economic interests and ensuring compliance within the industry.
