KOTA KINABALU: Marine police in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district have foiled an attempt to smuggle diesel worth over RM150,000 out of the country.

       Region 4 marine police commanding officer Deputy Supt Ridzauddin Selamat said his team tracked down a 31-year-old man who was at the wheel of a tanker at a fuel station there on Sunday.

       “Checks found that the vehicle driven by the suspect was modified to store diesel for smuggling,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       DSP Ridzauddin said the seized diesel was worth RM154,910.

       The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

       He said the seized diesel was handed over to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

       He also urged communities living in the coastal areas to provide tip-offs to police on any suspicious activity, adding that the Region 4 marine police could be reached via WhatsApp at 013-939 1197, and the Tawau marine police operations room at 089-983 628.