KOTA KINABALU: A smuggler ditched more than 40 jerrycans of subsidised petrol into the sea before escaping from the authorities in Sabah’s east coast Sandakan district.
The suspect had earlier ignored orders by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel to stop at about 6pm on Monday (June 24).
Sandakan MMEA director Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said they had spotted the boat the suspect was travelling in while on a patrol.
He said they noticed the boat was headed to open sea towards the direction of Taganak Island in the Philippines.
Capt Muhamad Suhairy added that MMEA personnel immediately pursued the boat and told the operator to stop for an inspection using their siren and loud speaker.
“But the boat suddenly turned back and headed for shallow waters at Berhala Island (in Sandakan waters) before the suspect abandoned the vessel and escaped on land,” he said, in a statement here on Wednesday (June 26).
Capt Muhamad Suhairy then said that his men found a total of 46 jerrycans containing 1,150 litres of petrol that were being transported without a proper permit.
He said the 40-horsepower engine was also registered under a fishing licence.
“Together with the boat, the seized items are valued at more than RM16,000.
“The items have been brought to the Sandakan MMEA jetty for further probe under the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” he said.
