TAWAU: The marine police have foiled an attempt to smuggle prohibited health products and controlled goods into the country following the arrest of an Indonesian man in the waters off Batu 3, here, yesterday.
State Region 4 commander Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Pajeri Ali said the seizure and arrest were made after a patrol team conducted checks on a suspicious-looking ‘jongkang’ (passenger boat) at the area about 8.25pm.
“The team found the boat to be laden with 1,843 boxes of vitamin C injection products, which are prohibited in the country. There are altogether a total of 18,430 small bottles of the items.
“The boat skipper, aged 38, has an Indonesian passport,” he said in a statement, today.
In addition, Mohamad Pajeri said the team also found 10 liquid petroleum gas cylinders and 20 boxes containing packets of cooking oil.
Mohamad Pajeri said the skipper failed to produce documents or permit from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for carrying all the items found onboard.
The case is being investigated under Poisons Act 1952 and Control of Supplies Act 1961.
In another operation, the marine police detained two men for possessing fish bombing devices.
They were nabbed in waters near Kampung Halo at 5pm yesterday.
Mohamad Pajeri said police seized two detonators, a bottle of ammonia-based fertiliser, and a matchbox which were hidden in the boat's compartment.
He said both men and seized items were taken to Semporna police headquarters further investigations.