KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Agency (MMEA) has recorded 50 arrest cases and seized over RM4.5mil worth of items during the first week of Ops Khas Pagar Laut this year (1/2024).
MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin said among the offences are those under Fisheries Act 1985, Immigration Act 1959/63, Control of Supplies Act 1961, Customs Act 1967 and Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Speaking after conducting an observation for the operation in Sabah waters here on Monday (March 25), he said out of the total figures mentioned, Sabah and Labuan MMEA registered 16 cases with nearly RM400,000 worth of seizures.
Hamid said that the operation was reactivated nationwide in efforts to curb cross-border crimes, especially in hot spot areas during the Ramadan and Syawal periods.
“The special operation is being held in four stages, with the first phase being preparatory (data collection and getting assets ready) from March 12 to 17, followed by Phase 2, which is enforcement before the festive period between March 18 and April 1.
“The third phase covers enforcement during the festive period (April 2- 16) followed by the last phase, enforcement after the festive period (April 17-30),” he explained.
He also said the success recorded so far showed the commitment of the staff and officers of the agency and urged them to continue with the momentum for the rest of the operation.
