LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 1, 530 packets of cooking oil and 15 gallons of petrol following an operation off Felda Sahabat waters on Saturday.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said the team spotted a suspicious boat at about 5.30am at 0.16 nautical miles southeast of Kg Tandu, Tungku.
Upon realising the presence of enforcement, the boat sped and changed its direction towards the shore. The skipper then jumped into the water to escape.
Preliminary inspection on the boat found several boxes of cooking oil covered by brown canvas and some gallons containing petrol. "All the seizures comprising 1,530 of 1kg cooking oil in packets and 15 gallons containing petrol as well as the boat were estimated worth RM75,240.
"The case would be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” he said.
All the seizures were taken to Felda Maritime Post Jetty for further action.
MMEA called on the maritime community to channel information on any suspicious activities via Whatsapp at 016-9305727 or 999 for immediate action.
