SANDAKAN: Maritime authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle 945 litres of subsidised petrol following a raid on a stilt house in Kampung Tinusa early Wednesday (Oct 8).
A 34-year-old local man was arrested during the 12.35am operation after officers uncovered 30 jerrycans of petrol, valued at RM4,400, stored at the unnumbered waterfront premises.
Sandakan Maritime Zone director Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) moved in following a tip-off about suspicious unloading activities at the site.
“Acting on the information, our enforcement team dispatched to the location and discovered 30 jerrycans filled with petrol inside the premises,” Suhairy said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 8).
The raid was carried out under Ops Sejahtera 1/2022, Ops Khas Cegah PATI (OCP) Utara, and Ops Tiris 4.0.
The suspect and confiscated fuel were taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone headquarters. The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for storing controlled items without a valid permit.
Suhairy added that the MMEA will step up patrols and enforcement to curb the smuggling and illegal diversion of subsidised fuel in local waters.
Members of the public with information on maritime crimes or emergencies can contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 or call the MERS 999 hotline.
