PADANG BESAR: Authorities have uncovered a smuggling syndicate using a tourist van to illegally export subsidised cooking oil from Malaysia to Thailand.
This follows the police seizure of 60 packets of subsidised cooking oil, totalling 60 kilogrammes, hidden inside a Thai-registered tourist van driven by a foreign national on the main road in Padang Besar yesterday.
Padang Besar police chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shokri Abdullah, said the seizure was part of Op Bersepadu Cegah Jenayah led by the Padang Besar police headquarters.
"The operation involved five senior officers and 32 personnel, including several roadblocks established within the Padang Besar jurisdiction.
"During the operation, we detected and detained a silver Toyota Commuter tourist van with Thai registration on the main road leading to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex in Padang Besar around 8.30am.
"The van was driven by a 23-year-old foreign national who appeared suspicious when ordered to stop," he said in a press statement today.
"Further inspection of the van revealed seven plastic bags containing 60 packets of various brands of subsidised cooking oil, weighing 60 kg, hidden in the rear passenger area," he said.
Initial investigations found that the suspect, who is a trader, had obtained the cooking oil from Kedah and intended to sell it in the neighbouring country.
"The suspect failed to provide valid documentation for the subsidised cooking oil. The total value of the seized items, including the van, is RM90,168, while the actual value of the cooking oil is only RM150.
"Although the value of the seized cooking oil is small, the economic impact of such subsidised goods smuggling is significant," he added.
The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Perlis for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961, which carries a maximum fine of RM1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.