KUCHING: Diesel diversion operations, believed to have been active during late night hours, were uncovered in a raid at Demak Laut Industrial Park here today (Apr 10).
Marine Police Force (PPM) Region Five Sarawak’s Deputy Commander, Supt Rusdin Banin, said the raid, carried out at about 8.15 am under ‘Ops Taring Landai’ (Ops Tiris), followed four days of intelligence gathering.
“The syndicate is believed to have used small vehicles to repeatedly purchase diesel within the permitted limit at 24-hour petrol stations before storing it at a central location.
“The activity was carried out between midnight and 4:00 am,” he said in a statement.
He said the team discovered four skid tanks containing about 52,000 litres of suspected subsidised diesel stored without authorisation at the premises.
The total value of the seizure was estimated at RM520,000.
Also seized were six high-pressure pumps, six high-pressure hoses, five plastic tanks, two multi-purpose vehicles, and a van believed to have been used in the operations.
A local man, who claimed to be the owner of the premises, was detained after failing to produce valid documents or permits from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and has been handed over to KPDN Kuching for further action.
Rusdin said the raid was part of ongoing efforts to curb leakage and misuse of subsidised diesel.
