KOTA BARU: Eight petrol station operators were fined a total of RM24,000 for selling fuel to suspected smugglers.
The operators, who have been in cahoots with suspected smugglers for many years, were issued with compound notices in a series of operations by the state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Its director, Azman Ismail, said the eight operators, who operate petrol stations within 25km of the Malaysia-Thai border, were fined between January, and June 29.
"During this period, the state KPDN issued fines to eight operators for violating the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
"Apart from that, five more cases are still under investigation," he said.
During the same period, Azman added, about 30,000 litres of RON95 and 68,000 litres of diesel were seized from these stations.
Commenting on Ops Tiris, he said 443 cases were recorded since the beginning of this year, with goods worth about RM3 million seized.
He said more than 100 people were detained in the operation, comprising both locals and foreigners.
"During the operation, we inspected 39,650 premises, and 12,263 vehicles.
"Of these, 205 vehicles were seized, believed to have been used in smuggling activities," he added.