ALOR STAR: Kedah Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle over 3,000 litres of subsidised diesel at the Bukit Kayu Hitam duty free zone last Tuesday.
Its director Nor Izah Abd Latiff said during the raid, about 3,730 litres of diesel worth RM8,019.50 were concealed in special compartments attached to four trailers bound for Thailand.
Four men, all Thai nationals aged between 20 to 50, were arrested for the attempting to smuggle the subsidised goods.
Four vehicles, including three unloaded trailers and one container trailer valued at RM1.05 million were also seized during the raid.
"During the 8pm raid, the operation team successfully intercepted four vehicles at the entrance of a duty-free shop. All four trailers were Thailand registered vehicles and were heading towards Thailand.
"Upon inspection, the raiding team found modified fuel tanks with special compartments believed to contain subsidised diesel," she said in a press conference at the Kedah Customs Complex at Alor Star here today.
Izah said that based on undercover investigations, the diesel was sourced from a warehouse at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Industrial Area.
"The diesel would be siphoned into the special compartments and smuggled out to Thailand through the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex.
"The estimated quantities of diesel for the first, second, third, and fourth trailers are 800 litres, 1,100 litres, 890 litres, and 940 litres, respectively," she added.
She said the case is investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
"Upon conviction, offenders will be fined not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000, whichever is greater, and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is greater, or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years, or both," she added.
Izah assured that the Customs Department will monitor the country's borders to prevent subsidised goods smuggling activities.
"Diesel is a controlled item, its export is subject to an export license issued by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. Individuals involved or conspiring in smuggling subsidised goods are betraying the country," she added.
She also urged the public to cooperate with the Customs Department by providing information related to any smuggling activities.