LAHAD DATU: The Marine Police Force (MPF) seized 1,088 packets of cooking oil and 500kg of rice at two separate locations in Taba Batang, Tungku, on Tuesday.
At 2.10pm, a MPF team on patrol duty at the Taba Batang beach area spotted a suspicious man sitting on a pile of goods covered with canvas.
When the team approached, the man looked scared and an inspection found 50 packs of 10kg rice under the canvas.
The man was detained and the items, believed to be smuggled to a neighbouring country, were seized. The suspect and the seized items were taken to MPF base.
Later the same day, the MPF team on surveillance duty at the plantation areas in Taba Batang stopped a suspicious four-wheel-drive (4WD).
An inspection of the 4WD found 1,088 packets of 1kg cooking oil of three brands stored at the rear seat and the bucket of the 4WD, covered with canvas.
The suspect failed to produce any documents on the items, which were believed to be smuggled out to a neighbouring country.
Sabah Region Four MPF Commander ACP Ahmad Ariffin when contacted, confirmed the arrests and seizures.
He said both cases are being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.