MELAKA - Three men were arrested with about 57,000 litres of diesel valued at more than RM100,000 believed to have been misappropriated in a warehouse through Op Tiris in the Krubong Industrial Area here yesterday.
Melaka Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Norena Jaafar said all the men, including a Bangladeshi aged between 30 and 50, were apprehended at the warehouse while they were preparing to move out of the premises during the raid at about 5.30 pm yesterday.
She said the diesel syndicate, which was believed to be active for less than a month, was detected changing its modus operandi and movement to avoid being detected by the authorities.
"Based on preliminary investigations, the syndicate was detected using a 'bonded' truck with the logo of a logistics company, a four-wheel drive and making online payments for the purchase of diesel at petrol stations.
"Apart from that, the suspects also do not know who their employer is because the instructions on the diesel purchase operation were received through WhatsApp," she told reporters at a press conference here today.
She said the syndicate diverting the subsidised controlled substance was detected due to the frequent movement of 'bonded' lorries and four-wheel drive vehicles at a petrol station, thus raising the suspicion of the public who complained to the police.
She said the subsidised diesel syndicate was detected using a rented warehouse as a transit for the operation of transferring diesel bought from the petrol station involved.
Commenting further, Norena said that due to the change in the modus operandi of the diesel embezzlement syndicate, a detailed and more comprehensive investigation will be carried out including ascertaining whether the 'bonded' lorry used by the syndicate is using a fake logistics company logo or not.
She said the case was investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961. - BERNAMA