KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 20kg of drugs valued at RM1mil near Batu Layar here last week.
Tanjung Sedili maritime zone acting director Mohd Najib Sam said the seizure of the drugs, believed to be syabu, was made by a patrol vessel during an operation at 9.40pm on April 8 about 0.4 nautical miles west of the area.
“Our patrol vessel detected the fibreglass vessel without registration travelling out from the beach area believed to be heading to a neighbouring country.
“When they realised our presence, they tried to be aggressive and turned the boat back to shore to avoid being arrested,” he told a press conference on Monday (April 13).
He added that about 700m from the beach, the two suspects in the boat jumped into the water and fled.
“Upon checking, we found a bag containing 20 packets of yellow substances believed to be syabu,” Mohd Najib said, adding that initial investigations showed the suspects were trying to smuggle the drugs to a neighbouring country.
He did not discount the possibility of another vessel waiting in international waters to receive the drugs, noting that the seized fibreglass boat was only powered by an 85hp engine.
Besides the drugs, the MMEA seized the boat and engine worth about RM40,000.
The case is being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
