JOHOR BARU, Sept 4 — Three men were detained for trespassing on land belonging to the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and illegally panning for gold in Jemaluang, Mersing, early yesterday.

Johor Police chief Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said the three suspects, aged between 29 and 36, were detained in a raid at about 11.50am.

Also seized were the tools used including a water pump, pan, hoe and shovel, he said in a statement here today.

"The police view this as a serious offence and advise the public not to trespass or illegally pan for gold as these activities could be dangerous to them as well as pollute the environment,” said Wan Ahmad Najmuddin.

The case is being investigated under Section 447 of the Penal Code.

He said the three men were being remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist in the investigations. — Bernama