Marine police have arrested a local man for attempting to smuggle 25 gas cylinders by boat at Laut Icebox near here last night.

Sabah Region 4 Marine Police commander Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz said in the incident at about 8.30 pm, the 38-year-old man was trying to smuggle the Petronas gas cylinders to Indonesia via Sungai Bergosong, Pulau Sebatik near here.

"Five marine police personnel conducting the Ops Landai came across a boat at Laut Icebox which was carrying 25 gas cylinders, worth RM5,000, covered with a canvas," he said in a statement here today.

Mohd Yazib, said the suspect, who was also the skipper, failed to produce any valid document to transport such controlled items.

"The man and the boat have been brought to the Tawau Marine Police base for further action," he added.

--BERNAMA