SANDAKAN: The Customs Department has seized 111,391 litres of petrol suspected to be smuggled to a neighbouring country.
The subsidised petrol, valued at nearly RM300,000, was allegedly being transported aboard a local cargo vessel.
Deputy Sabah Customs director Siti Mang said the cargo vessel was intercepted at 7.48pm on Nov 19 by enforcement teams from the Lahad Datu and Sandakan Customs branches.
"Acting on intelligence from the Sabah Zone Intelligence Branch, the operation team raided the local cargo vessel suspected of carrying petrol intended for smuggling out of the country via Sabah waters," she said during a press conference today.
Initial inspections revealed the vessel was carrying 111,391 litres of petrol, with an estimated seizure value of RM228,352.55 and duties and taxes amounting to RM66,835.60.
Siti said that the confiscated cargo vessel, valued at RM250,000, brought the total value of the seizure to RM545,186.15.
A local cargo vessel skipper was also detained during the raid.
The smuggling operation involved illicitly transporting subsidised petrol to neighbouring countries using local cargo vessels.
"The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) and Section 139 of the Customs Act 1967," she said.