TUMPAT, June 6 — Six individuals have been arrested following the discovery of an illegal petrol storage facility allegedly used to stockpile fuel for smuggling into Thailand in an operation that has been going on for about two years. 

According to a  Sinar Harian report  carried out on Thursday under Op Taring Wawasan by the General Operations Force (PGA) Battalion 8 in Pengkalan Chepa together with personnel from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Kota Bharu, also led to the seizure of petrol, cash and four vehicles worth RM104,748.60.

Brigade Southeast PGA commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the operation was launched following intelligence on suspected fuel smuggling activities at a premises in Tualang, Pengkalan Kubor.

He said surveillance conducted for about 30 minutes showed several four-wheel-drive vehicles, believed to be Mitsubishi Pajero units, entering the premises in a suspicious manner before enforcement teams moved in.

“During the raid, officers found three men siphoning petrol from vehicle tanks into plastic containers, while a woman and two other men were inside and around the storage premises,” he was quoted as saying. 

He added that checks at the site uncovered 255 litres of petrol, three rubber hoses, an air pump, RM3,650 in cash and four vehicles believed to have been used in the activity.

Preliminary investigations found that four of the suspects, aged between 25 and 40, were responsible for purchasing petrol from stations around Tumpat before selling it to a local man aged 53, who is believed to be the main buyer operating the storage site.

The syndicate is believed to have been active for about two years, with the premises rented at RM400 per month.

Ahmad Radzi reportedly said that the group bought petrol at RM4.20 per litre before reselling it across the border to Thailand, with the operation capable of handling up to 60 barrels of petrol a day.

He said another suspect, aged 51, is believed to have been working at the premises and was paid RM50 per day.

The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and all suspects and seized items have been handed over to the KPDN Kota Bharu for further action.

He added that PGA will continue intelligence and enforcement operations along border areas to curb the smuggling of subsidised goods that affect the national economy.