SIBU: Marine police here have arrested six people for extracting sand illegally in Paradom on Friday (June 10).

       The suspects are aged between 25 and 56 and are all locals

       Region Five Marine Police Force (PPMW5) Commander Assistant Commissioner Zulfikar Mohd Ghazali said they also seized the vessel and sand with an estimated value of RM2.6mil.

       "A police team led by an officer and three members of the force conducted an operation to inspect a ship carrying out sand extraction activities in waters off Paradom," he said.

       He said that the captain of the ship failed to produce a licence for extracting sand.

       "Apart from that, the ship's license has also expired. The ship and all equipment, sand and the six crew of the ship were also detained for committing offenses under the Sarawak Land Code," he added.

       He said the case will be handed over and referred to the Investigating Officer of the Land and Survey Department, Sibu Division for further action.