Kelantan KPDN seizes over 20 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil in two raids, thwarting smuggling attempts to Thailand with total confiscations exceeding RM138,000
KOTA BHARU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in Kelantan has foiled attempts to smuggle over 20 tonnes of subsidised packet cooking oil to Thailand in separate operations in Pasir Mas and Tumpat, with the total value of seizures and confiscations exceeding RM138,000.
Kelantan KPDN State Enforcement chief Aswadi Jaafar said in the first operation yesterday, his team seized 2.8 tonnes of subsidised packet cooking oil worth RM43,000, believed to have been smuggled to the neighbouring country using two Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs).
He said the integrated Op Tiris 4.0 operation, carried out with the Kelantan KPDN Intelligence and Special Action Unit and the Kelantan police, also led to the arrest of a 27-year-old local man, while another suspect managed to escape.
“Intelligence gathered found that two red and blue Perodua Alza vehicles were believed to have been used by the syndicate to transport subsidised cooking oil before smuggling it into Thailand.
“An inspection of the red Alza found 1,445 kilogrammes of subsidised packet cooking oil from various brands, while an inspection of the blue Alza, abandoned by the second suspect, revealed 80 boxes containing 1,360 kilogrammes of cooking oil,” he told a press conference here today.
He said the driver of the red Alza failed to produce a valid licence or documents related to the ownership and transportation of controlled goods, while efforts were ongoing to trace the other suspect.
Meanwhile, in another operation last night at Kampung Telaga Bata, Chabang Empat, Kelantan, KPDN successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 17.7 tonnes of subsidised packet cooking oil using a Nissan UD cargo lorry.
Aswadi said an inspection of the lorry found 1,040 boxes of one-kilogramme packets of cooking oil, totalling 17,680 kilogrammes.
He said a local lorry driver and a male attendant in his 40s were detained to assist investigations.
“Initial investigations found that the lorry driver admitted being paid RM500 to deliver the consignment to a location specified by another individual.
“The suspect also informed that the cooking oil supply was obtained from outside the state before being transported to an area near an illegal jetty in Tumpat for smuggling purposes,” he said.
According to Aswadi, the value of the cooking oil seized in the second operation was estimated at RM44,200, while the total value of the confiscated items, including the lorry, was estimated at RM94,200.
Both cases are being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for suspected possession, transportation and attempted misappropriation of subsidised controlled goods without valid permission.
