KOTA KINABALU: Marine police in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district thwarted an attempt by a man to smuggle diesel worth more than RM150,000 out of the country on Sunday (May 8).

       Region 4 Marine Police commanding officer Deputy Supt Ridzauddin Selamat said his team tracked down the 31-year-old man at a fuel station in the district.

       “Further checks found that the tanker lorry driven by the suspect was modified to store diesel to be smuggled,” he said, in a statement on Monday (May 9).

       He said the seized diesel was worth RM154,910, adding that the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

       He added that the suspect as well as the seized items have been handed over to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for further probes.

       Meanwhile, in a separate case, Deputy Supt Ridzauddin said the marine police rescued a pangolin that was found hidden in a box at the old CIQ port in Tawau.

       He said his men found the box at a pedestrian walkway, adding that no one has turned up to claim the animal so far.

       “The pangolin will be handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further action,” he said.

       Deputy Supt Ridzauddin urged communities living in the coastal areas in the district to channel any information pertaining to any crime, particularly those involving cross-border crimes, to the police.

       He said the public can provide the details either through the Region 4 Marine Police team’s WhatsApp number at 013-939 1197 or directly contact the Tawau marine police operations room at 089-983 628.