KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 6,000 litres of petrol to a neighbouring country, following the confiscation of a pump boat in Kudat waters early on Saturday (Feb 15) morning.
Kudat MMEA director commander Hasbullah Omar, director of Kudat Maritime Zone, said that acting on a tip-off, they detected a pump boat 2.8 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Mandi Darah during Op Sejahtera, Op Tiris, Op Pluto Timur, and Op Cegah PATI operations.
He said that as the MMEA team approached the boat, which was moving slowly and suspiciously in the dark, two individuals made a desperate move, jumping into the shallow waters and fleeing into the nearby mangrove swamp.
"Further inspection revealed that the boat was loaded with 30 barrels containing petrol, estimated to be about 6,000 litres, and six gas cylinders.
"All the items were being transported without a valid permit and were presumably intended for the black market or to be smuggled to a neighbouring country,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Hasbullah said the boat and confiscated items, estimated to be worth nearly RM60,000, were brought to Kudat marina jetty for further investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. - Bernama
