Sabah KPDN Arrests Two Men, Seizes 1,500 Litres Of Diesel

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 1,500 litres of subsidised diesel fuel, following the arrest of two local men yesterday.

Its director, Georgie Abas, said the two men, aged 29 and 40, were apprehended by a team of enforcement officers conducting an operation codenamed Op Tiris around Jalan Penampang at about 9.10 pm.

He said that the enforcement team also conducted inspections, resulting in the seizure of two vehicles: a four-wheel drive and a lorry, suspected of containing diesel fuel.

“The inspection of the Isuzu Trooper four-wheel drive found an additional IBC (intermediate bulk container)-type tank in the rear, believed to hold approximately 900 litres of diesel,” he said in a statement here today.

“The Toyota Dyna lorry had a fibre-type tank in the rear, suspected to contain around 600 litres of diesel, at a petrol station in Jalan Penampang."

Georgie said that the total value of the seized items amounted to RM43,855, which included one IBC-tank, one fibre-type tank, one rubber hose and two fuel pumps.

He said that the two male drivers of the vehicles were detained to assist with the investigation.

Based on initial statements, Georgie said the two drivers failed to produce any documents or authorisation from KPDN to purchase and transport the diesel stored in additional tanks apart from the vehicle's fuel tank.

"The modus operandi of this activity involves purchasing subsidised diesel from petrol stations operating at night and collecting it before allegedly selling it to ineligible parties at a higher price," he said.

Georgie said the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possessing controlled goods, namely diesel, with the intent to commit an offence.

He also said the Sabah KPDN will conduct ongoing inspections and monitoring of all activities related to controlled goods in the state to prevent any form of misappropriation of such goods.

Members of the public with information regarding any illegal activities can report them to the ministry, he added.

-- BERNAMA