TAWAU: A 34-year-old foreign national was fined RM20,000 or sentenced to 12 months in jail by the Sessions Court, here, Friday for possessing controlled goods without a permit.
Azmain Same was sentenced by Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya after pleading guilty to possessing 578kg of cooking oil and 250 litres of petrol.
He committed the offence on an unregistered wooden boat in the waters off Kalapuan at about 9.45pm on Sept 6.
Azmain was charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, punishable under Section 22(1) of the same Act. The offence carries a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The court heard that Azmain was arrested by a team from the Kunak General Operations Force (PGA) after they inspected an unregistered boat in the area.
The controlled goods were found during the inspection.
Azmain admitted that he had attempted to take the cooking oil and petrol to a neighbouring country without a licence or permission from the Controller of Supplies.
He also admitted being responsible for the goods, which were estimated to be worth RM1,787.50.
The prosecution was conducted by KPDN Semporna Enforcement Officer Samat Mapiare @ Muparia. Azmain was unrepresented.
