SEMPORNA: Eight people including a boat skipper were detained by the Sabah Region 4 Marine Police Force for illegal entry.
The Marine in a statement said the individuals were detained following an operation at Pulau Boheyan on Saturday.
During the operation carried out by the Marine and Police from the Crime Investigation Division of Semporna Police Headquarters, the team apprehended a boat and upon inspection found seven individuals onboard.
Further inspection found all seven of them failed to produce any valid identification documents. They also admitted of entering the state from the neighboring country illegally.
They were detained, including the boat skipper for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
On the same day, the Marine also detained two individuals and seized 144 bottles of liquor believed without tax, which estimated worth RM51,320.
Acting on intelligence, the Marine apprehended a speed boat which was in suspicious condition about 7am off Pulau Boheyan waters.
The result of inspection on the boat found six boxes, each containing 24 bottles of liquors believed smuggled in from the neighboring country.
The team detained the boat skipper and another individual to assist in investigation under the Customs Act 1967.
In a separate development, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized more than 100,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes worth RM70,000 in an operation off Tanjung Sironggol waters, here, on Sunday.
During the operation, the team spotted two boats moving in suspicious condition at 0.5 and 0.6 nautical miles off Tanjung Sironggol southeast.
“Upon realising the presence of enforcement, the suspect jumped into the water and escaped to the shallow area, leaving the boat behind.
“Inspection on the boat found seven boxes containing various brands of smuggled cigarettes estimated worth RM69,800,” said MMEA in a statement on Sunday.
Two boats and engines were also seized during the operation. The case would be investigated under the Customs Act 1967.
