KOTA KINABALU: A covert attempt to smuggle exotic food items involving endangered species was foiled by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) during a special operation off Kudat waters on Tuesday (April 22).
MMEA Kudat Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the bust was made following intelligence by the Maritime Intelligence Unit, which detected suspicious activity in the waters of Selat Malawali around 2am.
Acting on the tip-off, patrol boat Kilat 48, which was already on a special operation, was deployed to the location and intercepted an unlit boat about 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Layang-layang, Pitas.
“No individuals were found on board during inspection, but a thorough search led to a shocking discovery,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 23).
Among the items seized were 20 polystyrene boxes containing frozen giant clams (kima) weighing around 500kg, eight sacks of dried kima weighing over 200kg, and five polystyrene boxes filled with frozen pangolins estimated to weigh 100kg.
The contraband, believed to be destined for a neighbouring country with high demand for exotic meats and illegal wildlife products, is estimated to be worth more than RM100,000.
The vessel and its contents were towed to the Kudat Marina Jetty for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and the Fisheries Act 1985 for attempting to smuggle endangered species and handling marine produce without valid permits.
MMEA has urged the public, especially the maritime community, to report any information related to smuggling or maritime crimes by calling the Kudat Operations Centre at 088-611858 or the 24-hour emergency line at 999.
