KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to smuggle 4,000 litres of subsidised petrol out of the country was foiled by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kudat waters.
MMEA Kudat Maritime Zone director Commander Hasbullah Omar said their patrols spotted a boat with no registration number moving suspiciously 1.5 nautical miles northeast of Linggisan Island at about 5.30pm Thursday (May 7).
He said the MMEA patrol intercepted the vessel, but the boat crew fled by jumping into the sea upon seeing the approaching authorities.
“Inspection of the boat found several drums containing petrol, estimated at about 4,000 litres, believed to be intended for smuggling into the Philippines,” he said in a statement Friday (May 8).
The case is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961 for possession and transportation of controlled goods without valid permits or documents.
The seized boat and cargo were brought to Kudat Municipal Jetty for further action.
Commander Hasbullah attributed the success to intelligence gathering and enforcement patrols carried out under Ops Sejahtera, Ops Cegah Pati, Ops Tiris, and Ops Naga.
Hasbullah said MMEA will continue to tighten security patrols in national waters to combat smuggling and cross-border crimes.
The public with information on suspicious maritime activities is urged to contact the emergency line 999 or the Kudat Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 088-611858 for immediate action.
