SUNGAI PETANI: Two men were arrested by the police while attempting to transfer subsidised diesel worth more than RM44,000 from a trailer to two trucks in Bedong here today.
District deputy police chief Superintendent Anuar Abd Rahman @ Abd Rahim said investigations found that the trailer was believed to have belonged to the Kuala Kedah Area Fisherman Association and was being driven by a man in his late 30s.
He said the raid was conducted based on information obtained from surveillance operations by the Kuala Muda police headquarters' Special Branch from 10.50am to 1.40pm.
"Upon arrival, the operation team found two men being involved in transferring diesel from the said trailer to two trucks.
"As a result, the police detained both suspects. During inspection they discovered liquid suspected to be diesel, estimated to be 800 litres in volume, inside one of the trucks, and liquid suspected to be diesel with an estimated volume of 2,100 litres inside the other truck.
"Further checks inside the trailer revealed liquid suspected to be diesel, estimated at 27,000 litres," he said at a press conference at the Kuala Muda police headquarters today.
Anuar said the trailer and two trucks containing subsidised diesel totalling 29,900 litres were seized.
"The estimated value of the seized diesel is approximately RM44,991.84.
"All the seized items were confiscated, and the total estimated value of the seizure is RM149,991.84," he said.
Anuar said the trailer driver was suspected of transporting the subsidised diesel from an oil depot in Prai in Penang to be used by fishermen in the Kuala Kedah area.
However, he said, during the journey, the driver was believed to have made a stop in Bedong to sell subsidised diesel for RM250 per 200 litres.
"The owner of the premises in his 40s admitted to buying the subsidised diesel from the trailer driver.
"The case is being investigated by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department under Section 407 of the Penal Code."
He added that the case would be handed over to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
