KOTA BHARU, Sept. 30 -- Cooking oil smuggling kingpin "Datuk John" evaded authorities for years by hiring at least two enforcement officers to drive vehicles loaded with subsidised oil through the heavily guarded Rantau Panjang border checkpoint.

The officers were on the syndicate's payroll, receiving several thousand ringgit a month to ensure the illicit cargo crossed into Thailand without inspection, the New Straits Times reported citing sources.

The kingpin, believed to be Kelantan's largest cooking oil smuggler, allegedly sourced his supplies from licensed distributors in Terengganu, who were reportedly unaware of the illegal scheme.

"Datuk John" would personally accompany his lorry drivers to collect the oil before returning to Ke...