A lorry was caught allegedly selling diesel illegally at a heavy vehicle carpark along Eunos Road 7, attracting at least seven customers in just one hour.
A reader told Shin Min Daily News (SMDN) that the illegal ‘petrol station’ operates nearly every day till about 11pm at night.
Coincidentally, similar activities had reportedly taken place at the same carpark in the past.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told MS News that they are aware of this.
When SMDN reporters visited the site, they found a lorry parked near the entrance with its side door half open. Two other lorry drivers appeared to be refilling their vehicles.
The lorry in question reportedly contained a diesel storage tank and pump system, allowing it to operate like a legitimate petrol pump.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
Whenever an unfamiliar vehicle approached, the suspects became highly alert, opening the door wider to block the view of their activities.
Within an hour, at least seven vehicles — including cars and lorries — were observed stopping by to refuel.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
A SMDN reader told the Chinese news site that the makeshift “petrol station” operates from daytime to 11pm daily, except on Sundays.
“SCDF is aware of the recent illegal fuel dispensing activities that took place at a heavy vehicle carpark along Eunos Road 7,” the SCDF told MS News.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
A whistleblower revealed that the syndicate recruited customers via WhatsApp, using the code word “juice” for diesel. The chat group reportedly has over 900 members, some using Malaysia-registered numbers.
The administrators would privately message customers about meeting locations, using phrases such as “same place” or “come and top up your energy juice”.
According to SMDN, the “petrol station typically operates from 5pm to 11pm, with prices at S$1.25 per litre — less than half the market rate of about S$2.68 per litre.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
Based on the whistleblower’s understanding, the syndicate could sell 2,000 to 3,000 litres daily, earning about S$1,500 in profit each day.
In 2024, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) carried out enforcement action against individuals inolved in illegal fuel dispensing activities along the same road.
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force on Facebook
In fact, the exact carpark was a known ‘hotspot’ for such activities and was raided in the past, SMDN reported.
The offenders were each fined between S$2,800 and S$3,100.
Under Singapore law, imported diesel is subject to customs duty and GST, except for fuel in a vehicle’s own tank.
Those caught selling duty-unpaid diesel face a fine of up to 20 times the duty evaded, two years’ imprisonment, or both.
Additionally, under the Fire Safety Act, it is an offence to dispense fuel at any premises without a valid petroleum and flammable materials storage license.
Offenders face fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
The SCDF said that they take “a serious view of such fire safety offences and will not hesitate to act against offenders.”
They encourage the public to report any illegal dispensing activities through the SCDF hotline, feedback form or the myResponder app.
MS News has reached out to the Singapore Customs for more information.
Also read: M’sians with S’pore driving licences can soon buy subsidised RON95 fuel at S$0.61 per litre
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Featured image adapted from Shin Min Daily News.