JOHOR BARU: Two brothers suspected of working as transporters for drug syndicates have been arrested during a routine patrol by the Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
State MMEA acting director Maritime Capt Kama Azri Kamil said they also seized various types of drugs worth RM7mil.
He said the suspects were stopped 3.5 nautical miles (6.48km) south-east of Tanjung Piai on Monday (June 29).
"We tracked a fibreglass boat with the suspects on board and detained them at 12.36am," Capt Kama Azri told a press conference at state MMEA headquarters in Menara Tabung Haji near here on Wednesday (July 1).
He said the suspects were believed to have been waiting for a boat from a neighbouring country to offload the drugs.
"The suspects, aged 26 and 40, are believed to have transported drugs several times, and were allegedly paid RM17,000 for each trup," he added.
He said the seized drugs comprised 88.2kg of methamphetamine with a street value of RM4.41mil, and 30,000 ecstasy pills valued at RM2.25mil.
"The arrest also led us to a village in Gelang Patah where we found 787 vape cartridges with a new synthetic drug known as 'Piu Piu' stashed in a car. Their street value is RM196,750," he said.
Capt Kama Azri said MMEA also seized the car, worth RM50,000, and the boat, valued at RM40,000.
He said both suspects have been remanded for seven days from until Tuesday (July 7), and that they both tested positive for methamphetamine.
Capt Kama Azri said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He urged anyone with information on maritime crime to contact the Johor MMEA operations centre hotline at 013-7001235 or the Emergency Line at 999.
