KOTA KINABALU: A local man in possession of fish bombing paraphernalia has been arrested in Semporna after a raid by the district police early Sunday morning (Nov 14).

       Semporna district police chief Superintendent Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said acting on a public tip-off, a team from the marine police intelligence unit went to an unnumbered house in Kampung Hidayat there at 2am.

       They found 136 detonator units, three rolls of fuse and 15kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, believed to have been obtained from suppliers in Sitangkai Island of neighbouring Philippines.

       “During the raid, a 55-year-old man was arrested in the house, and further inspection found the explosives, believed to be for fish bombing activities.

       “Preliminary inspection found the suspect had obtained the items from suppliers in Sitangkai Island, the Philippines, before planning to sell them to buyers around Bum Bum Island here in Semporna,” Mohd Farhan said in a statement on Monday (Nov 15).

       He added that the suspect and the confiscated items were taken to the Semporna district police headquarters for further investigation.

       “The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, with a maximum seven years imprisonment or fine up to RM10,000, or both if found guilty.

       “The police thanked the information channeled by the public and called for further cooperation if anyone has information on fish bombing activities, to report it to the nearest police station,” added Mohd Farhan.