Attempt to smuggle oil into country foiled, 10 detained

The Joint Task Force 2 (ATB2) detained 10 men from the Tawi-Tawi islands in the Philippines, near Denawan waters in Semporna, Sabah yesterday on suspicion of attempting to smuggle fuel out.

ATB 2 Commander Brigadier-General Johari Mohd Jaafar said the men, aged between 20 and 45 and all of whom carried no identification papers, were detained at 10.43am yesterday after the task force detected a Kumpit boat speeding from Tawi-Tawi islands towards Tawau.

“As soon as the boat entered Sabah waters, ATB’s Rapid Action Force (PAC) was sent out to intercept the boat,” he said in a statement last night.

Checks on the boat found a home-made pistol along with nine bullets and 300 empty fuel drums.

The suspects were arrested while the firearm was seized.

“The men and the seized firearm, drums and the boat were handed over to the Semporna Marine police,” he said.

- Bernama