Over 20 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil were seized during separate smuggling raids in Kelantan, with the total value of the seizures and confiscations exceeding RM138,000. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in the state foiled attempts to move the goods to Thailand through Pasir Mas and Tumpat.
Two vehicles used in Pasir Mas operation
Kelantan KPDN State Enforcement chief Aswadi Jaafar said the first operation on Saturday (July 18) involved two Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). He said intelligence gathered by the team indicated the two vehicles were used by the syndicate to transport the goods before smuggling them into Thailand.
An inspection of the red Alza found 1,445 kilogrammes of subsidised packet cooking oil from various brands. An inspection of the blue Alza, which had been abandoned by the second suspect, revealed 80 boxes containing 1,360 kilogrammes of cooking oil.
Related: Jesselton Waterfront City Takes Shape
Aswadi said the driver of the red Alza failed to produce a valid licence or documents related to the ownership and transportation of controlled goods. The integrated Op Tiris 4.0 operation, carried out with the Kelantan KPDN Intelligence and Special Action Unit and the Kelantan police, led to the arrest of a 27-year-old local man. Another suspect managed to escape.
Lorry driver admits to receiving payment
Meanwhile, in another operation on Saturday night at Kampung Telaga Bata, Chabang Empat, Kelantan, KPDN successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 17.7 tonnes of subsidised packet cooking oil using a Nissan UD cargo lorry. The lorry was found to contain 1,040 boxes of one-kilogramme packets of cooking oil, totalling 17,680 kilogrammes.
A local lorry driver and a male attendant in his 40s were detained to assist investigations. Initial investigations found that the lorry driver admitted being paid RM500 to deliver the consignment to a location specified by another individual. The suspect also informed that the cooking oil supply was obtained from outside the state before being transported to an area near an illegal jetty in Tumpat for smuggling purposes.
Related: Damansara Jaya Market Sees Steady Demand
According to Aswadi, the value of the cooking oil seized in the second operation was estimated at RM44,200, while the total value of the confiscated items, including the lorry, was estimated at RM94,200.
This recent spate of seizures in Kelantan highlights a recurring challenge in enforcement efforts. Unlike typical drug busts where the primary objective is to stop immediate harm, the smuggling of subsidised goods targets the public distribution system. The smugglers rely on the existence of legitimate supply chains to move massive quantities of contraband undetected, often exploiting minor administrative lapses by drivers or workers who may be unaware of the cargo’s true origin.
Both cases are being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for suspected possession, transportation and attempted misappropriation of subsidised controlled goods without valid permission.
