by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 18: The Sarawak Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 5 seized about 100 boxes of illegal fireworks worth RM21 million during the Ops Taring Pensura raid of a cargo ship in Dermaga Lawas, Limbang, last Sunday.
In a statement, Sarawak Commissioner of Police Dato Mancha Ata said the Marine Intelligence Unit and PPM Region 5 acted on information received about a cargo ship operated by an Indonesian citizen docked at the Lawas Pier.
Upon inspection of the ship, authorities found approximately 100 boxes containing various types of firecrackers suspected of being smuggled into the country.
The captain of the ship failed to submit valid documents from customs which should permit him to bring in the firecrackers.
Mancha said, the subject is suspected of having committed an offence under the Explosives Act 1957 (Sec 8 (a) that is, failing to submit any documentary evidence related to possession or storage of explosives.
“The suspect was arrested and the firecrackers were seized and handed over and referred to the Investigating Officer of the Criminal Investigation Division of IPD Lawas District, Sarawak for further action and investigation under the Explosives Act 1957,” he said.
The total value of the seizure is approximately RM21.526 million.
Mancha cautioned that anyone who commits an offence under the Explosives Act 1957 (Sec 8 (a) could be sentenced to seven years in prison or a fine of RM10,000, or both. – DayakDaily
