KOTA KINABALU: Three people were arrested for trying to smuggle subsidised petrol from Sandakan.

       The suspects, aged between 19 and 36, were nabbed in a sting operation by the police General Operation Force (GOF) at a fuel station at 1.30am on Tuesday.

       Personnel from the Sandakan GOF Tiger Platoon and Intelligence Task Force had staked out the station following a public tip-off about the illegal purchase of subsidised petrol.

       Sabah GOF Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm (SAC) Abdul Rani Alias said the station had been under surveillance for 30 minutes before they moved in to arrest the suspects.

       “The team seized two lorries, which we believe were used to transport the subsidised fuel that was bought illegally,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

       He said they also seized 58 oil drums containing 4,400 litres of petrol.

       “We estimate the seized items to be worth RM109,020,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

       SAC Abdul Rani said the suspects were brought to the Sandakan police station for interrogation.

       They were later handed over to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry office here for the next course of action.