SEMPORNA: The Kunak General Operations Force Battalion 22 seized 1,530 packets of subsidised cooking oil during a joint maritime operation in waters off Singamata and Pulau Bum-Bum on Monday.
The seizure came during Op Taring Esszone-Op Taring Bravo 3, when security forces on patrol intercepted a wooden boat operated by two local men.
A subsequent inspection of the vessel uncovered a large quantity of cooking oil, believed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.
The contraband comprised 1,530 1kg packets of Sun Flower brand subsidised cooking oil, packed inside 90 black plastic bags.
Also confiscated were two gallons of petrol, a Yamaha 200-horsepower boat engine and related equipment believed to have been used in the smuggling operation. The total estimated value of the seizure is RM67,442.
The suspects and seized items were handed over to the Semporna office of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for further action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Meanwhile, in LAHAD DATU, marine police arrested a man suspected of fuel misappropriation and seized 9,000 litres of diesel at a fuel station on Tuesday.
Acting on a public tip-off, a team spotted a man suspiciously filling diesel into a tanker lorry’s oil tank which had been modified with pump installation and hose, believed used to transfer diesel from the original tank to the modified tank.
“Further inspection found 9,000 litres of diesel had been filled into the lorry’s original tank, which exceeded the limit permitted,” said the marine police in a statement.
All the items, including the lorry, diesel and equipment, worth RM519,500, were seized for further investigation under the Control of Supply Act 1961.
