SEMPORNA: The Marine Police Force (MPF) arrested four men and seized 472 packs of rice believed to be smuggled out to a neighbouring country via the waters off Mantabuan, here, on Thursday.
It was learnt that a patrolling team spotted a suspicious fishing trawler with four people on board.
Sabah MPF (Region Four) Deputy Commander, Supt Abd Nasir Othman, said the trawler was stopped for inspection and 472 packs of 10kg rice were found on the boat.
He said the boat’s skipper failed to produce a permit to carry the rice.
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The case will be referred to the Paddy and Rice Regulatory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and investigated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522), he added.
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