A smuggling syndicate operating along the Malaysia-Thailand border has devised a new strategy to illicitly transport large quantities of RON95 petrol by using modified drum tanks. This scheme came to light after Marine Police Team 3 intercepted two Proton Wira Aerobacks in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, last Thursday.
According to sources, each of the seized vehicles contained over 200 liters of petrol, which is believed to have been purchased from a gas station approximately 25 kilometers from the border.
"Both vehicles were stopped by a marine police team near the Pok Mat illegal base in Kampung Simpangan, Tumpat. This location was previously the site of a shootout on June 19, where smugglers fired upon customs officers," the source revealed.
"During the raid, members of the smuggling syndicate fled the scene and abandoned the petrol-filled cars upon learning about the arrival of the authorities," the source added.
An inspection of the vehicles uncovered a total of 450 liters of fuel, which was likely intended for transfer into plastic tanks before being smuggled across the border using long-tail engine boats. The inspection also revealed that each vehicle's tank cover had two holes: one leading to the standard fuel tank and another to the modified tank, enabling the storage of a larger quantity of petrol.
ASP Akil Abd Rauf, the Officer-in-Charge of Marine Police Operations Base 3 in Pengkalan Kubor, commented on the operation. He stated that from January to June this year, the police recorded a total of 14 cases involving the seizure of diesel, amounting to 45,251 liters and valued at RM97,113. Additionally, there were 93 cases related to RON95 petrol, with seizures totaling 21,020 liters valued at RM39,678.
The authorities are intensifying their efforts to crack down on these smuggling operations, which not only cause financial losses to the government but also pose significant safety risks. The use of modified vehicles and the involvement of well-organized syndicates highlight the complexity and scale of the problem.
Enhanced surveillance and coordinated operations between various enforcement agencies are critical in tackling this issue. The marine police's recent success in intercepting the smuggling attempt demonstrates their commitment to curbing illegal activities at the border. However, continuous vigilance and community cooperation are essential to disrupt and dismantle the smuggling networks operating in the region.
As the authorities adapt to the evolving tactics of smugglers, maintaining the integrity of the border remains a top priority. This ongoing battle against fuel smuggling underscores the need for robust enforcement measures and the importance of regional collaboration in addressing cross-border crimes.
Young Sok Fun is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.