MIRI: Police have uncovered a suspected subsidised diesel syndicate operating from a rented bungalow in Tanjung Lobang here and seized about 15,000 litres of fuel and assets worth RM131,079 during a raid on Wednesday.
Four local men, aged between 42 and 52, were found at the premises and are believed to have been involved in collecting subsidised diesel purchased through runners from petrol stations across the city before reselling it to a wider syndicate.
Miri District Police Chief, ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, said the operations were carried out at about noon by officers from the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters and Miri District Police Headquarters following intelligence-led investigations into suspicious activities at the property.
Initial investigations found that the suspects had rented the bungalow and converted it into a collection centre for subsidised diesel.
“The diesel was obtained through runners who purchased the fuel from petrol stations around Miri before transporting it to the premises for resale,” he said in a statement today.
The fuel was reportedly bought using private vehicles and jerry cans before being transferred into storage tanks at the property.
Among the items seized was a tanker lorry capable of carrying 16,000 litres, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and equipment believed to have been used in the operations.
The case has been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in Miri for further action.
Investigations are being conducted under Sections 20(1) and 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
Farhan said the illegal diversion of subsidised diesel caused substantial losses to the government and could disrupt fuel supplies intended for legitimate consumers.
He urged petrol station operators not to collude with syndicates and called on the public to report suspicious activities to the police or KPDN.
