
Penang KPDN seizes RM36,240 worth of illegal diesel in raid
Its director, S. Jegan, said the department received a public complaint regarding the activity before conducting an operation at 9.30 pm and successfully detected a lorry involved in suspicious diesel refuelling activities.
'A team of enforcement officers conducted an inspection and found a lorry transferring diesel into an IBC tank. Further checks revealed two modified IBC tanks connected with hoses and pumps from the original tank, with an estimated capacity of 1,000 litres, located at the back of the lorry.
'Further checks found that the lorry driver, a local man, failed to produce any authorisation documents to deal with the controlled goods,' he said in a statement today.
He added that the department seized all items, including a lorry, a set of hoses and pumps, and two IBC tanks containing 2,000 litres of diesel, all valued at RM36,240, as well as several business documents to assist in the investigation.
Jegan said further investigation was underway to identify individuals or companies involved in the diesel distribution chain.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Textile shops in KL found using unverified measuring tools
KUALA LUMPUR: Several textile shops in the federal capital were found using measuring tools that had not been verified by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), exposing consumers to the risk of fraud when purchasing fabric. KPDN Kuala Lumpur director Mohd Sabri Seman said the unverified rulers used at the premises did not meet the required standards, which could affect consumer rights and create opportunities for fraudulent practices. 'Rulers used for measuring fabric must comply with specifications, including having metal at both ends and a certification label from KPDN,' he told reporters after leading an enforcement operation at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here today. The operation, which began at noon, involved inspection at 35 premises. Seven compounds were issued for various offences under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Weights and Measures Act 1972, amounting to RM7,000 in total. Of these, three premises were found to be using unverified measuring tools, while four others failed to display price tags. Mohd Sabri said that 272 cases involving offences related to price marking and the use of unverified weighing and measuring instruments have been detected since the beginning of this year, with a compound value of almost RM100,000 issued. He advised consumers to remain vigilant and to report any suspected misuse of controlled goods, sale of counterfeit products, or non-compliance by traders with the law. 'We also hope traders will consistently comply with the laws enforced by the agency to ensure that business transactions are carried out fairly and transparently,' he added. – Bernama


New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian-registered vehicles being used to smuggle subsidised fuel across border
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has detected a new tactic by petrol smugglers who use Malaysian-registered vehicles to transport subsidised fuel to a neighbouring country through legal entry points. Its state director, Azman Ismail, said investigations revealed that the smugglers were now using standard vehicles, without modifications, to carry out the activity, especially in Rantau Panjang. "These vehicles, such as Proton Wira, Proton Iswara or any vehicles with large fuel tanks, will fill up with fuel at nearby petrol stations before crossing the border. "Once in the neighbouring country, the fuel will be siphoned into tanks prepared by syndicates there. The vehicles would then return to Malaysia through the same checkpoint and head to another station to refill. "This process is repeated between five and 10 trips a day. We will only act against them if they are caught red-handed making repeat purchases," he told the New Straits Times. Azman said some syndicates also used the same car but switched drivers to avoid detection by the authorities. He added that there were 48 petrol stations within a 25km radius of the border, and some smugglers have even been detected refuelling in Kota Baru, which is more than 20km from Rantau Panjang. "Some also use modified vehicles that can carry larger fuel volumes. For instance, a Proton Waja can hold more than 60 litres while a Proton Wira or Iswara can store between 40 and 45 litres," he said. According to Azman, 80 per cent of the 807 such vehicles seized by the authorities in Kelantan this year were now kept in two storage depots, and all were involved in petrol smuggling. "These vehicles are usually bought cheaply for between RM1,000 and RM5,000 each, depending on the year of manufacture and the car's condition," he said. However, he said the number of petrol smuggling cases recorded by KPDN had declined since the police enforced a ban on illegal border crossings in December last year. "Petrol smuggling along the Kelantan-Malaysia border has been going on for a very long time. It is often a family affair, passed down from father to son, or even involving husbands and wives. "We once detained a housewife who attempted to smuggle petrol while travelling with her child to avoid suspicion. "When questioned, she claimed to be sending her child to school, but upon inspection, we found several containers of petrol believed to be destined for a neighbouring country. "In another case, a carpenter admitted to smuggling petrol as a part-time job because he could not find regular work. "Most of those caught claimed they were smuggling petrol to earn a living. To them, it is not a crime but a means of survival," he added. To curb the repeated purchase of subsidised fuel for smuggling, the ministry has stationed officers at nine petrol stations in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas and Pengkalan Kubor. "They will monitor petrol sales from 7am to 11pm daily," Azman said. Petrol smuggling has remained lucrative along the Malaysia-Thai border because of the wide price gap between the two countries. In Malaysia, RON95 petrol is sold at RM2.05 per litre due to subsidies. In Thailand, however, the same fuel can cost between RM5 and RM6 per litre, depending on the area and currency rate. This big difference creates high demand across the border, encouraging syndicates and individuals, both Malaysians and Thais, to take the risk.


Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Kedah authorities bust diesel smuggling attempt by Thai woman in modified pickup
ALOR SETAR, Aug 18 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) arrested a Thai woman for trying to smuggle diesel using a vehicle with a Malaysian registration number plate at a petrol station in Kuala Nerang on Saturday. Kedah KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the woman, in her 40s, was arrested based on a public tip-off and intelligence gathered by Alor Setar KPDN enforcement personnel. 'During initial observations, a pickup truck was seen filling up diesel before heading to the back of the petrol station where the vehicle owner was changing out local registration plates for foreign registration plates. 'Further inspection revealed diesel kept in a modified tank,' he said in a statement last night, adding that an inspection at the petrol station found that the station had sold 273 litres of diesel in a single transaction to the suspect's vehicle, violating the Supply Controller's instructions on the limit of sales to locally-registered vehicles in a single day. Diesel worth almost RM800, a pickup truck, purchase receipts and documents totalling over RM30,790 were seized, he said, adding that the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. — Bernama