TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 30 cylinders of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to a neighbouring country after intercepting a boat in Tawau waters on Sunday.
Tawau Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Ariffin Ghazali said a local man believed to be the skipper was detained for transporting controlled goods without a valid permit.
“The skipper is believed to have been attempting to smuggle the LPG cylinders to a neighbouring country. Further inspection found that the suspect’s name was not listed in the boat registration details,” he said on Monday.
He said the arrest was made by an MMEA enforcement team during Op Pluto Timur and Op Tiris following intelligence on suspicious boat movements heading towards Pulau Sebatik from Batu 3, Jalan Apas at about 6.20am.
The vessel was intercepted about 1.6 nautical miles south of Batu 3, Jalan Apas. The suspect and seized items, valued at over RM30,000, were brought to the Tawau Maritime Zone jetty for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Department Enactment 2002.
Ariffin said MMEA will continue tightening monitoring to curb the leakage of controlled and subsidised goods, especially at known smuggling hotspots.
He added that enforcement operations will be intensified to combat illegal activities in Tawau waters.
Members of the public are encouraged to channel information to the Tawau Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-750116 or via NG999 for immediate action.
