Kelantan KPDN Uncovers ‘Ant Army’ Tactic Used in Cross-Border Fuel Smuggling

KOTA BHARU, Aug 6 — Smuggling syndicates along the Malaysia-Thailand border have resorted to an ‘ant army’ tactic—moving subsidised petrol and diesel repeatedly in small quantities—to evade detection amidst heightened enforcement operations, the Kelantan Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) revealed today.

Kelantan KPDN Director Hanif Yusabra Yusof explained that syndicates adopted the micro-smuggling strategy following intensified joint operations under the integrated Op Tiris 4.0 framework. However, persistent cross-border price disparities and sustained demand for Malaysian subsidised fuel continue to drive smuggling attempts.

To date, Kelantan KPDN has recorded 318 cases involving the smuggling and misappropriation of controlled goods, leading to the arrest of 135 individuals and the seizure of 193 vehicles valued at RM1.875 million.

“The value of seized controlled goods amounted to RM552,000, including 24,446 litres of petrol worth RM63,500 and 48,500 litres of diesel worth RM218,000. All cases are currently at various stages of investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” Hanif Yusabra told Bernama recently.

Hanif Yusabra identified key smuggling hotspots along border corridors, including Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, and several illegal riverbank crossings along Sungai Golok, where geography and unofficial transit points facilitate illicit border crossings.

Beyond the ‘ant army’ method, syndicates continue to utilize modified vehicle fuel tanks, install auxiliary tanks in multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), collect fuel incrementally from multiple retail stations into storage drums, and transport supplies via illegal routes.

“They also frequently change the timing and locations of their movements to avoid detection,” he stated.

Despite these tactics, Hanif Yusabra highlighted that inter-agency coordination between KPDN, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), General Operations Force (GOF), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) under Op Tiris has significantly boosted detection and seizure rates.

Addressing allegations regarding potential collusion by petrol station operators or commercial entities, Hanif Yusabra affirmed that KPDN conducts thorough, intelligence-led investigations into every report.

“If there is evidence of any breach of the law, firm action will be taken without compromise against any party involved,” he warned.

Outlining the broader operational hurdles—including vast border terrains, evolving syndicate strategies, and lucrative black-market profit margins—Hanif Yusabra confirmed that KPDN will continue upgrading its surveillance capabilities through advanced technologies, including drones and smart monitoring systems, to safeguard the national fuel distribution chain.

–NMT