TANAH MERAH: The Kelantan office of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry yesterday arrested a man suspected of trying to smuggle 8,534kg of subsidised cooking oil worth more than RM21,000 to Thailand.
In the 11.45am operation in Kampung Bukut Payong carried out with the Pengkalan Kubor marine police, enforces also seized a lorry and two Proton Waja.
The ministry's Kelantan director, Azman Ismail, said the raiding team spotted a suspicious lorry in Kampung Bukit Payong and followed it.
"Suddenly, two men driving two Proton Waja blocked the ministry's vehicle. The two drivers then escaped on foot into the bushes.
"Enforces managed to stop the lorry. After inspecting it, they found 8,534kg of cooking oil packed in 1kg polybags.
"They detained the 33-year-old lorry driver."
Azman said initial investigations found that the cooking oil was brought to Kelantan from a neighbouring state.
"We suspect the cooking oil was set to be smuggled to Thailand via one of the many illegal jetties along the border.
"The lorry driver was hired to send the cooking oil to the border. He received RM1,000 for the trip."