Contraband motherload: Some of the goods seized from the boat.
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has intercepted a cargo boat transporting controlled goods over the permissible level in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district.
Its patrol vessel spotted the boat some 0.89 nautical miles north of Sungai Melayu at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Tawau MMEA director Capt Shahlizan Raman said the boat was operated by two local men who were transporting rice and sugar.
“After a check, we found that they were bringing three tonnes of rice and 3.5 tonnes of sugar, which were more than the measurement stated in the boat’s manifest,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
“The goods are estimated to be worth some RM60,000. 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 will beef up security patrols.
“We will not compromise with any individual who obstructs our personnel from executing their duties,” he added.
He urged the public to report any crime or incidents at sea by calling the Tawau MMEA at 089-752 116 or the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 number.
