Tawau MMEA foils bid to smuggle controlled items worth RM60,000

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a cargo boat transporting controlled goods over the permissible level in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district on Saturday (Jan 6).

An MMEA patrol vessel spotted the boat some 0.89 nautical miles north of Sungai Melayu at 5.30pm.

Tawau MMEA director Capt Shahlizan Raman said the boat was operated by two local men who were transporting rice and sugar supplies.

"After a check, we found that they were bringing three tonnes of rice and 3.5 tonnes of sugar which were more than what was stated in the boat’s manifest," he said in a statement here on Sunday (Jan 7).

"The goods are estimated to be worth some RM60,000," he said, adding that the skipper also failed to furnish a valid boat licence.

"The suspects are being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the state’s Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002," Shahlizan added.

He said that the MMEA would beef up security patrols.

"We will also not compromise with any individual that appear to obstruct our personnel from executing their duties," he warned.

As such, he urged the public to assist the authorities by reporting any crime or incidents at sea by contacting the Tawau MMEA at 089-752116 or the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 number.