TUARAN: Five men got themselves into trouble with the law following a drinking session at Kampung Kotonuan Baru, Tamparuli here, yesterday.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team on Covid-19 patrol stormed the house about 1pm and found the men busy chatting and drinking in an open space under the house.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Hamizi Halim said the men were aged between 19 and 42. The house belonged to their relative, who was not at home.
"We arrested them for defying the Movement Control Order (MCO) and brought them to the district police headquarters, where they will be detained for four days to facilitate investigations," he said.
He added that the case was instigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code for a negligent act likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (No.4) Regulations 2020.
The Penal Code and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations carries imprisonment of not more than six months or fine or both, if convicted.
Hamizi advised people against organising social gatherings including religious, cultural, recreational, or sports at any premises, especially in locations known for coronavirus infections.
As of yesterday, Sabah Covid-19 cases remained at 315 with Tuaran recording 22 positive cases.
The districts with the highest Covid-19 cases are Tawau (81), Lahad Datu (43), and Kota Kinabalu (49 cases).
Other districts with Covid-19 cases are Kinabatangan (22), Sandakan (21), Keningau (16), Penampang (12), Beaufort (11), Putatan (8), Kunak (8), Kota Belud (5), Papar (4), Sipitang (4), Tambunan (3), Ranau (3), Semporna (2), and Beluran (1).