SEMPORNA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled two smuggling attempts within an hour following two separate incidents off Pulau Bum Bum waters, here, on Thursday.
Semporna Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Amir Shubli said, about 5.30pm while carrying out the Ops Pluto Timur, the MMEA team spotted an outboard engine boat in suspicious condition at 0.5 nautical northwest of Pulau Bum Bum waters.
Upon realizing the presence of the enforcement team, the boat skipper jumped into the water before escaping to the nearby land area.
“The result of inspection on the boat that was left behind, the team discovered a total of 15 jerry cans containing petrol and an outboard engine (Yamaha 40 Horse Power).
“The seizures including the boat, the engine and the petrol were estimated to be worth RM17,250,” he said, in a statement on Friday.
According to Amir, about 50 minutes later, the team discovered a pile of jerry cans floating at 0.9 nautical miles north of Pulau Bum Bum at about 6.20pm.
He said further inspection found a total of 30 jerry cans containing petrol, that suspected thrown into the sea by the smuggler to avoid detection by the enforcement team.
The second seizures were estimated to be worth about RM1,500. All the seizures were taken to Azumi Camp jetty and handed over to the Semporna Maritime Zone Investigation Officer for further investigation under the Control of Supply Act 1961.
