SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here foiled a petrol smuggling attempt after intercepting a boat in the waters off the Sungai Mangkalinau Besar estuary on Tuesday.
MMEA Sandakan Zone Director, Kepten Maritim Suhairy Hussain, said the bust was the result of continuous patrols and surveillance conducted under Op Sejahtera, Op Cegah PATI (OCP), and Op Tiris 4.0.
He stated that the suspicious vessel was detected nearly 0.05 nautical miles east of the Sungai Mangkalinau Besar estuary before it was flagged down for inspection.
“As the operational team approached the boat, a man believed to be the skipper jumped into the sea and fled towards the coastal area to evade arrest. The suspect abandoned the vessel along with its cargo at the scene,” he said.
“The MMEA is currently actively tracking down the suspect using information and documents left behind to aid investigations and facilitate further action,” he added.
A subsequent inspection of the boat uncovered 17 jerrycans suspected to contain 510 litres of petrol, along with a 40-horsepower (HP) outboard engine.
The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for allegedly transporting controlled items without a valid permit or authorisation. The boat is also suspected of violating Regulation 12 of the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 for misusing its licence by carrying cargo.
The total value of the seized items—including the boat, petrol, and outboard engine—is estimated at RM12,500. All confiscated goods have been brought to the Sandakan MMEA jetty and handed over to the MMEA Investigating Officer for further action. – James Leong
A MMEA personnel member inspects the abandoned boat in Sandakan on Tuesday.
