NIBONG TEBAL: The Penang branch of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry foiled an attempt to misappropriate subsidised diesel by seizing 17,2000 litres during a raid on a tanker and bonded lorries here yesterday.
KPDNHEP Penang chief enforcement officer A. Mogan said a team of enforcement officers conducted the raid about 7am following a tip off and week-long surveillance.
He said the team initially tailed the bonded lorry, which had purchased subsidised diesel from several petrol stations throughout the state, before the vehicle drove to a residential area.
"During the raid, our team found a tanker lorry with a 17,000-litre tank capacity and the seven-tonne bonded lorry. Checks inside the bonded lorry led to the discovery of six fibre tanks with a 1,000-litre capacity each, which had been modified.
"Further checks on the tanker lorry found 16,000 litres of subsidised diesel inside while the bonded lorry was filled with 1,200 litres of subsidised diesel," he said.
Mogan said the two lorry drivers, both in their 50s, had been detained to assist investigations into the case.
"Based on preliminary investigations, we believe the syndicate had purchased the subsidised diesel from petrol stations throughout the state before the fuel was sold to the industry at a higher price to rake in profit.
"The role of the bonded lorry (driver) is to buy the subsidised diesel before transferring it to the tanker lorry in the residential area," he added.
Besides the subsidised diesel, Mogan said they also seized the two lorries, six units of fibre tanks, one pumping machine and two units of pipe hoses, all of which are worth RM148,800.
The case is being probed under the Control of Supply Act 1961.
