KOTA BARU: A smuggling attempt involving 10,175kg of 1kg Malaysian-subsidised cooking oil packed in polybags, destined for Thailand, was thwarted yesterday, leading to the arrest of a lorry driver and his attendant, both in their 30s.
The arrests took place around 4am in Kampung Kubang Panjang near Tumpat, where the duo was apprehended by a Customs team from its enforcement unit in Kota Baru as they were heading towards the border area.
State Customs director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said the lorry was stopped based on public tip-off.
Upon inspection, the team discovered the cooking oil valued at approximately RM20,350.
The cooking oil, suspected to be part of a smuggling operation, was believed to have been transported from Ipoh, Perak, with intentions to be sent to Thailand through illegal jetties along the Kelantan-Thai border.
"We seized the cooking oil because it did not receive approval from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to be exported.
"We also suspect the duo were transporters hired by a syndicate involved in cooking oil smuggling," Wan Jamal said during a joint press conference with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's state department.
The suspects, believed to have received RM300 per trip for transporting the items from Perak to Kelantan, are currently under custody for further investigation and action.
Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's state director Azman Ismail the 1kg Malaysian subsidised cooking oil in polybag has sparked high demand among Thai traders, leading to smuggling operations up to Narathiwat province in Thailand, driven by its affordable price.
Azman highlighted that the cooking oil is particularly sought after by Thai traders, many of whom are Muslims, due to their confidence in its 'halal' status.
He further explained that Malaysian cooking oil is priced at RM5.70 per kg in Thailand, significantly cheaper than Thai cooking oil, which sells for RM8 per litre.