BUTTERWORTH, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Penang branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Living Costs (KPDN) has thwarted diesel embezzlement activities involving the seizure of 5,000 litres of the fuel following a raid on an unlicensed store in Sungai Lokan here this afternoon.
Its director,S. Jegan said the operation at 3 pm was carried out by a team of enforcement officers based on intelligence gathered since last week after receiving information about the transfer of subsidised fuel at the premises.
"The inspection results found a liquid suspected to be diesel in a tank estimated to contain 5,000 litres.
"Further inspection found that the premises failed to submit the documents related to the licence or permit to possess and manage scheduled controlled goods as required under the law," he said at a press conference at the location today.
Jegan said the modus operandi used by the syndicate was to make the location a transfer point for diesel fuel from lorries believed to be collecting the fuel from stations around Penang before reselling it, allegedly to industrial parties.
Jegan said a Myanmar national in his 30s, who was an employee at the premises, was also detained to assist in the investigation.
In addition, he said that his team seized IBC and skid tanks, a set of hoses and pipes, one pump unit, and several related business documents to assist with further investigations, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM60,000.
He said the preliminary investigation found that the premises had been operating for a month and efforts were being made to identify the owner and individuals involved in the activity.
It is said that the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which pertains to possessing controlled goods with the intention to commit an offence,
-- BERNAMA
