Petrol and diesel smuggling thwarted

A 21-hour operation conducted by the Kedah Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) busted an attempt to smuggle diesel and petrol worth RM 13,000 at Bukit Kayu Hitam yesterday.

UPP Kedah Commander Mohd Jasri Othman said that two locals in their thirties and forties were detained, while two Thai pick-up trucks and a Proton Saga car with extra tanks were seized.

The operation took place at three different locations- the first bust, according to Jasri, was at kilometer 48 Lebuh Raya Changlun-Bukit Kayu Hitam at 2:30 pm involving a local driving a van with 1400 liters of diesel.

The second bust was at the Ramadan Bazaar in Bukit Kayu Hitam, at about 12:20 am involving two Thai pick-up trucks each with 3000 liters of petrol.

“No arrests were made (at Bukit Kayu Hitam) as the smugglers were able to get away,”Jasri said.

The third bust took place at 11:40 am at kilometer 4 Lebuh Raya Changlun-Bukit Kayu Hitam.

Authorities arrested the driver and seized a modified Proton Saga car, with extra tanks under the back seat and the trunk of the car.

The car carried 400 liters of petrol, believed to be on its way to be delivered to a buyer at the northern border.

Jasri said all three cases would be investigated based on the Akta Kawalan Bekalan 1961.

If convicted, the suspects face a fine of up to RM100,000 or a prison sentence of three years, or both.