PGA Arrests Six, Seizes RM10.28 Mln of Equipment, Sea Sand At Kuantan Port

KUANTAN, April 20 (Bernama) -- Six men, including two Indonesian nationals, were detained by the General Operations Force (PGA) yesterday over the suspected illegal transfer of sea sand at Kuantan Port in Gebeng.

In a Facebook post today, the PGA Southeast Brigade said the suspects were arrested around 10 a.m. during Ops Bersepadu Khazanah by its 7th Battalion and the Pahang State Enforcement Unit.

They also seized a dredger vessel with piping, two excavators, a bulldozer, and approximately 250 tonnes of sea sand, with the total value estimated at RM10.28 million.

"Initial investigations revealed that the site is owned by a local company carrying out reclamation work in the marine area, which is believed to be under development as a new maritime hub," the statement read.

The land reclamation using sea sand is believed to have started in March, carried out by a dredger vessel in open waters.

"Further checks found that the sand dredging operation did not have a valid licence or approval from the relevant authorities," the statement added. 

The PGA Southeast Brigade confirmed that the detainees and seized items have been handed over to the Pahang State Enforcement Unit for further action, while sand samples have also been sent to the Department of Mineral and Geoscience for analysis.

-- BERNAMA