SEMPORNA: Police arrested five men on suspicion of attempting to smuggle out 843 drums of subsidised petrol in Pulau Denawan near here last night.
Semporna district police chief Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the suspects, four foreigners and a local aged 24 to 65, were nabbed in raids on several locations at 7 pm.
“They are suspected of involvement in activities to smuggle a controlled item to a neighbouring country. Checks showed that 21,075 litres of petrol was hidden in the drums,“ he said in a statement here today.
Apart from the petrol, police also seized four boats and eight engines of 15 to 85 horsepower.
He said the seized items, all worth a total of RM150,000, had been handed over to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for investigation under Section 21 of the Supplies Act 1961.
Mohd Farhan urged anyone with information on smuggling activities to call 089-782020 or contact the nearest police station.–Bernama
