KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than RM3mil worth of subsidised diesel onto a vessel near Sungai Lebam here.
Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the vessel was spotted at the river near an oil palm plantation at around 11.45pm on Monday (Feb 6).
He added that the vessel was registered in Zanzibar and had eight Indonesian crewmen, aged between 19 and 60, on board.
“Checks found that some 80,000 litres of subsidised diesel were being transferred from two tanker lorries to the vessel.
“The suspects used a long hose and fuel pump to transfer the large amount of diesel," he said, adding that the two lorry drivers, both locals, were detained along with the vessel's crew.
First Adm Nurul Hizam said all the suspects were taken to the Tanjung Sedili maritime office for further investigation.
He added that the case was being investigated under Section 491B (1) (K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Regulation 18 of the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Act 2022, Regulation 21 of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and the Customs Act 1967.
