SEMPORNA: Smugglers abandoned their boats and fled, leaving behind more than 100,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes off Tanjung Sironggol in the early hours of April 26.
According to a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) statement, a joint team from the MMEA and district Special Branch spotted two suspicious boats about 0.5 to 0.6 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Sironggol during an operation between 1.30 and 1.40 am.
Realising they had been detected, the smugglers jumped into the shallow waters to escape, abandoning the boats and leaving the cigarettes behind. Checks later revealed seven boxes containing various brands of cigarettes. The total value of the seizure, including two boats and 40hp outboard engines, is estimated at RM69,800.
The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967. MMEA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime border control to curb cross-border crimes, including smuggling and the entry of undocumented migrants. – James Leong
A MMEA personnel watches over one of the boats abandoned by smugglers in Semporna early Sunday.
