Attempt to smuggle out LPG via Tawau foiled
Published on: Sunday, December 01, 2019
By: Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: An attempt by a 62-year-old man to smuggle out 25 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) via the sea was foiled at a non-gazetted jetty in Kg Tanjung Batu, here, on Thursday.
Sabah (Region 4) Marine Police Commander ACP Mohamad Pajeri Ali said the suspect was nabbed in a 3.30pm raid jointly conducted with the Customs Department.
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He said the suspect was found to be using a registered boat to carry the said LPG without a permit or approval letter issued by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP).
“The suspect hid the subsidised items under a grey canvas on the boat,” he said, adding the successful operation was a result of continuous monitoring and intelligence gathering.
Pajeri said the suspect confessed that the gas cylinders were about to be taken to Sebatik Island via the sea before it could be smuggled to a neighbouring country.
“The MyGaz LPG along with the suspect’s boat with a 75 horsepower engine were estimated to worth about RM32,000,” he added.
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All the seized items were taken to the Tawau marine operation base for further action and the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supply Act 1961 and punishable under Section 22(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM1 million or not more than three years’ imprisonment, or both, on conviction.
Meanwhile, another local was nabbed for carrying 325 litres of petrol in 13 jerry cans without permit in a village near Semporna waters, about 6.30pm, on Friday.
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Pajeri said the suspect was unable to tell the team the destination of his boat which was carrying the petrol.
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The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supply Act.
Pajeri urged the public to channel any information related to smuggling activities to the nearest police station or contact the marine police via 088-454819