Kuala terengganu: A lorry driver has been detained on suspicion of using forged permits to purchase subsidised petrol for sale to industrial operators. The arrest took place during an Ops Tiris 4.0 raid at a petrol station in Merang at 7.30 am today, as confirmed by Terengganu Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Mohd Mufsi Lat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Mufsi Lat reported that the local man, in his 30s, was found in possession of two drums containing 500 litres of subsidised petrol, valued at approximately RM1,600. The operation followed two weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering after suspicious activities involving subsidised controlled goods were detected at the petrol station.

Inspections revealed that the lorry driver, employed by a travel agency, held 10 permits, with eight identified as invalid or fake. The items seized during the operation, including a lorry, were valued at RM46,800. Mohd Mufsi explained that the modus operandi involved making multiple daily purchases using permits left at petrol stations, allowing fuel to be filled into drums.

The case is currently under investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122). Mohd Mufsi also stated that Terengganu KPDN had recorded 10 cases involving seizures totaling RM220,409.70 under Ops Tiris 4.0, which has been ongoing from March 16 until yesterday.

The Terengganu KPDN has conducted 1,614 inspection operations at various premises and petrol stations across the state since March 16, according to Mohd Mufsi.