KOTA KINABALU: The quick action of maritime officials helped foil a smuggling attempt in waters off Tawau early Monday (April 13).
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was conducting anti-crime operations when it received information regarding a suspicious boat in the area.
Patrol vessels were mobilised to the location where officials spotted the boat moving towards Sebatik Island at around 6.20am.
Tawau maritime zone director Capt (M) Ariffin Ghazali said officials intercepted the vessel and inspected the cargo and the skipper.
“Upon checking, we found that the 36-year-old boatman was carrying 30 LPG cylinders without any permit,” he said in a statement.
He said the items were believed to be destined for a neighbouring country.
Ariffin added that the cylinders and the suspect were taken to the maritime jetty for investigations under the Supplies Control Act 1961 and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002.
The total value of the seized items, including the boat, is estimated at over RM30,000.
“We are working with other security agencies to beef up patrols and crime prevention at sea, especially in hotspot areas to curb the smuggling of controlled goods,” he said, noting that smugglers often operate under the cover of darkness.
Ariffin said maritime officials will continue raids and operations to protect Sabah waters.
He urged those with information on suspicious activities at sea to contact the Tawau Maritime Operations Centre at 089-750116 or the 999 emergency line.
Security agencies have intensified patrols to curb the smuggling of controlled goods out of Sabah, particularly as global fuel prices continue to rise.
