ALOR GAJAH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) of Melaka and Negri Sembilan successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 10 rabbits, valued at nearly RM15,000, along the waters off Pantai Pengkalan Balak on Sunday (Feb 9).
MMEA state director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairi Abd Aziz, stated that the operation was conducted at 12.10am by a combined ground and sea enforcement team following intelligence on suspicious activity.
"During the operation, enforcement officers discovered three cages containing the rabbits abandoned along the shoreline. Preliminary observations suggest the rabbits were being prepared to be smuggled out of the country without adhering to legal procedures," he said.
The operation was made possible through information provided by the MMEA Headquarters in Putrajaya, in collaboration with local maritime enforcement units.
"We believe the suspects became aware of the presence of the enforcement boat, prompting them to flee into shallow waters using a fibreglass boat equipped with a 60-horsepower outboard engine to evade capture," he added.
The case is being investigated under the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
