KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to smuggle 2,400kg of dried anchovies to a neighbouring country was foiled by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Sandakan MMEA zone director maritime Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said its patrol team intercepted a suspicious boat during an operation about 1.5 nautical miles north of Pulau Berhala off Sandakan waters.
“The boat, which is equipped with 30 and 40 horsepower outboard engines, was registered under a fishing licence and was manned by a 57-year-old male skipper, who holds a permanent resident status,” he said.
Further checks found that the man had 30 sacks of dried anchovies, estimated to weigh about 2,400kg, which he intended to smuggle to Pulau Taganak in the Philippines.
All seized items, including the goods and the boat, estimated at RM29,000, were brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty.
Muhamad Suhairy said the case was being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 for attempting to smuggle controlled items and under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 for violating licence conditions.
He urged the public to notify the MMEA of any criminal activities or misconduct at 089-229-504.
