TAWAU: Marine police arrested a teenager and thwarted an attempt to smuggle 39 bags of rice into the district, this morning.
The 18-year-old male was on a boat when the police stopped him at Sungai Tongkang waters off here during a routine sea patrol.
Acting Sabah Region Four marine police commander Superintendent Norzaid Mohammad Said said the teen hailed from Kampung Sungai Melayu on Pulau Sebatik.
"Police had noticed suspicious activity and decided to inspect the boat. Upon checking, we found the boat laden with bags of rice weighing 975 kilogrammes.
"All the bags of rice did not go through customs declaration. The items were believed to have been brought in from a neighbouring country and meant for the local market," he said.
Norzaid added the total value of the seizure including the boat stood at RM20,750.
The boat has been towed to the district marine base and the items compounded. The teen has been detained to facilitate investigation under the Customs Act 1967.