Kudat: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Kudat branch seized 2,600 litres of petrol suspected to have been illegally siphoned in an operation at Kampung Pagasaon, Pitas, today. District enforcement officer, Nazatul Shima Karim, reported that a 76-year-old man was found in possession of the fuel without proper authorisation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the petrol was stored in 13 drums at the back of a building and covered with a tarpaulin. The case is currently being investigated under Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supply Regulations 1974, which pertains to dealing with controlled goods without a valid licence or approval.

Nazatul Shima stated that the integrated operation was part of follow-up measures under an initiative to combat manipulation and leakage, known as GEMPUR. This operation is included in the 2026 Ops Tiris 4.0, targeting the leakage of controlled goods in the market. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Marine Police Force Region Four Kudat and the Royal Malaysia Police, focused on the diversion of controlled goods, particularly in hotspot areas near coastal waters identified as sites for the illegal storage and distribution of fuel.