KOTA KINABALU: A man's attempt to smuggle subsidised goods using a pump boat failed when a marine police patrol arrested him during an operation at a rivermouth in northern Kudat district's Kampung Kimihang.
The 45-year-old local man was detained and handed over to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry officials in Kudat for further action.
The ministry's Kudat district enforcement officer Nazatul Shima Karim said the suspect is believed to be the owner of the pump boat, which was laden with various controlled goods without valid documents or authorisation.
"Among the seizures was an estimated 1,400 litres of petrol stored in seven drums.
"We also seized 24 boxes of cooking oil in plastic packets weighing an estimated 408kg, and 168kg of coarse granulated sugar in seven bundles," she said in a statement on Friday (April 17).
She added that three pump boat engines were also seized.
"The total value of the seizure is RM14,876.80," she said, in thanking the marine police for helping to curb the smuggling of subsidised goods.
She said the ministry will continue to strengthen enforcement to ensure that the supply of controlled goods remains secure and reaches the intended target groups.
"Anyone with information on the diversion of controlled goods is urged to come forward and report it to the authorities," she said.
