PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has conducted 851 seizure cases involving various maritime offences since January to July this year, resulting in a total of RM84mil in seizures.
Its acting deputy director-general of operations, Rear Admiral (M) Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, said the cases involved offences such as intrusion by foreign fishermen, human trafficking, smuggling of cigarettes, alcohol, subsidised goods and vessel violations.
"There have yet to be any arrests linked to firearms smuggling, but the MMEA, with the cooperation of all enforcement agencies in the country, will continue to conduct operations and exchange related information.
"The most common forms of smuggling include cigarettes, human trafficking and drugs," he told reporters after officiating the MMEA Merdeka programme here on Sunday (Aug 17).
Regarding new methods used by syndicates, he said that drones are now employed to monitor areas before smuggling attempts are made.
"When I was working in northern Malaysia, they would smuggle cockle seeds, ketum and drugs, and usually syndicates would fly drones.
"Thanks to the partnership with the police and armed forces at the border, we foiled several smuggling attempts," he said, adding that the introduction of certain apps also became a challenge for the MMEA to conduct operations in the field.
Regarding new MMEA assets, he stated that the agency would procure items such as the AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter and the former United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Steadfast from the US to enhance its operations.
"We will receive four AW189 helicopters capable of conducting flight as well as search and rescue operations at a wider coverage area," he added. – Bernama
