SINGAPORE - Nine men aged between 21 and 56 years old have been arrested on Monday (June 18) for their suspected involvement in an illegal transaction of marine gas oil.

The Police Coast Guard said it received information that a foreign-registered tugboat and a Singapore-registered vessel were believed to be involved in an illegal sale of the marine gas oil at the sea off Selat Puah Anchorage.

Four crew members of the Singapore-registered vessel allegedly misappropriated 400 litres of marine gas oil.

Police believe they then sold it to the five crew members of the foreign tugboat.

The foreign-registered tugboat has also been seized for investigations, said police.

If convicted, the nine men could be jailed for up to 15 years and fined.