Asia/Pacific News
Diesel Smugglers Caught in Malaysia
Malaysian authorities say they have foiled a plot that involved smuggling 5,600 litres of diesel worth more than RM3 million ($939,000), newspaper The Star reports.
A smuggling ring was selling subsidised diesel to vessels travelling on international waters off Pengerang, Sabtu Ibrahim, head of a taskforce handling the case said.
"Our officers have been staking out the area for over a week before raiding the premises at around 3.30am," he said.
"It's a large operation with lorries transporting subsidised diesel from various petrol stations throughout Peninsula Malaysia."
Sabtu said officers found three vessels in the process of being filled with the diesel and detained 20 crew members, as well as confiscating tanks and equipment used to transfer oil.
"The total cost of items seized is about RM3.14mil," he said.
"This is the biggest bust this year."
The syndicate avoided taxes of about RM336,000 ($105,000) by selling the fuel illegally, Sabtu said.
Malaysian authorities also reported foiling fuel smuggling attempts in January and in February.
