SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sandakan Maritime Zone hauled up a boat along with two men suspected of smuggling controlled goods of petrol and cooking oil, on Friday.
The boat was intercepted about 0.8 nautical miles west of Tanjung Niug during routine patrol and enforcement operations conducted by MMEA personnel.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the suspects are foreign nationals aged 30 and 34.
“Initial inspections found the boat was carrying 126 drums containing 2,520 litres of petrol fuel and 510 kg of cooking oil without valid authorisation.
“The total value of the seizure, including the boat, is estimated at RM53,000,” he said, Saturday.
Further investigations revealed the suspects are believed to have committed several offences, including transporting gasoline and cooking oil without authorisation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Muhamad said they are also suspected of possessing questionable identification documents under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and using questionable boat documents under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002.
All suspects along with the boat and seized items were taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty for further action.
Muhammad said MMEA would continue to intensify patrols and enforcement efforts to curb smuggling activities and other violations of the law in national waters.
Members of the public are also urged to provide any information related to smuggling activities or maritime crimes to the Sandakan Maritime Operations Center at 089-229504 or via the emergency hotline 999 to enable prompt action to be taken.
