PONTIAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted an attempt to smuggle drugs worth RM360,000 to a neighbouring country in Sungai Rambah waters here.
Acting Johor MMEA director Maritime Capt Kama Azri Kamil said the incident occurred at around 1.15am on Saturday (Jan 25).
“Our patrol spotted a suspicious blue-coloured fibreglass boat 0.5 nautical miles north-west of the mouth of Sungai Rambah.
“Realising the presence of our patrol boat, the other vessel then headed for shallow waters.
"A suspect was seen fleeing into the mangrove swamp there, leaving the boat behind,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 26).
He said the patrol found a black backpack containing five packages of drugs believed to be syabu weighing 5kg, and one package of pills believed to be ecstasy weighing 1.2kg.
“The drugs are estimated to be worth RM360,000. We also found a mobile phone and Chinese tea packaging used to wrap the drugs," he added.
Capt Kama Azri said the confiscated drugs and boat were taken to the Sungai Pulai maritime jetty.
He said MMEA would increase patrols in hotspots to prevent smuggling.