POLICE arrested 13 men on suspicion of diesel smuggling and seized 138,000 litres of the fuel in a raid at premises in Sungai Bauk, Tanjung Belungkor, Kota Tinggi, on Friday.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said all the suspects, comprising four local men and nine foreigners aged 18 to 62, were arrested at 11pm in Op Bersepadu Kontraban.

He said the gang bought diesel across the state before selling it to local and international markets, including foreign merchant ships, at a price of about RM3.50 per litre.

“They operated every three days by selling diesel on the black market at a higher price.

“The gang was detected a month ago and the premises (raided) was a transit point for the smuggling of subsidised diesel,” he told a media conference after the raid yesterday.

Kamarul said police also seized a foreign tanker, four cargo tanks, four fuel suction pumps, two generators, a Toyota Vios car and diesel worth RM386,400, all estimated to be worth RM14.4 million.

One of the suspects has a previous conviction under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the case was being investigated under section 21 of the Control of Supply Act 1961, he added. – Bernama, July 3, 2022.