Seventeen new units of combat boats, costing RM1.2 million each, will be based at the East Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), at the latest by April.

Marine Police Commander Isa Munir said the boats, equipped with sophisticated radar systems, would be used to smoothen security operations along Sabah’s east coast.

He told a media conference in Kota Kinabalu that five of the boats had arrived in Lahad Datu while the rest would follow suit soon.

Isa also said two 26-metre long patrol boats which could accommodate 10 people, were expected to arrive in Lahad Datu next year.

Earlier, he said the Kota Kinabalu marine police seized 25,000 packets of contraband cigarettes worth RM327,000, during an Ops Cantas Khas in Penampang near Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

The cigarettes were found in a white lorry whose driver gave police the slip in the incident at Donggongon town about 12.30pm.

- Bernama