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Police have foiled an attempt to smuggle about 2,000 litres of petrol into Thailand after intercepting five pickup trucks at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex yesterday, 18 March
According to the New Straits Times, Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the vehicles were stopped during a special operation by the Kubang Pasu district police headquarters at around 7am.
Five men — four Thai nationals and one Malaysian aged between 23 and 37 — were arrested.
Initial investigations found the pickup trucks had been modified with additional steel tanks to transport petrol across the border illegally.
Police intercepted five modified pickup trucks at the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Complex yesterday, 18 March.
Image via Bernama/New Straits TimesAdzli said the suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Kedah Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living for investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Control of Supplies Regulations 1974
All suspects have no prior criminal records and tested negative for drugs. The total value of the seized petrol and vehicles was estimated at RM560,000.
"The pickup trucks run on diesel, so why were they carrying petrol? This is a serious offence," he said, adding that higher fuel prices in neighbouring countries have been driving smuggling activities.
Police are also investigating the petrol stations believed to have sold the fuel
"I urge petrol station operators to act responsibly and not be complicit in smuggling activities that can affect the country's economy and public safety," he said.
He added that authorities will continue stepping up monitoring and enforcement along border areas to curb the smuggling of controlled and subsidised goods.
Street traders in Sungai Golok have reportedly been selling smuggled petrol from Malaysia at inflated prices.
Image via New Straits TimesIn a separate case previously reported, illegal traders along the Kota Bharu–Sungai Golok border were allegedly seen selling smuggled Malaysian petrol at marked-up prices, taking advantage of global fuel price increases
Authorities found that RON95 petrol, typically sold in Malaysia at RM3.27 per litre, was being resold in Thailand for about 35 baht (about RM4.30) per litre.
