SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here detained a barge and a small cargo boat suspected of being involved in the illegal transfer of crude palm oil on May 2.
According to MMEA Sandakan Zone Director Kepten Maritim Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, the incident occurred around 2.00 am when a MMEA patrol boat was conducting routine surveillance.
“Acting on public intelligence, the MMEA team spotted a suspicious barge around 0.10 nautical miles south of Bandar Leila. A closer check revealed that crude palm oil was being transferred into a small cargo vessel using a pump,” he said.
He added that when the MMEA boat approached the location, several individuals attempted to flee but were intercepted by enforcement personnel.
The inspection found that nearly seven tonnes of crude palm oil had already been transferred into the small boat’s tank, while an estimated three tonnes remained in the barge, Muhamad Suhairy said.
Four local men and one Filipino, aged between 29 and 48 years old, were detained to assist with the investigation. They consist of crew members from both vessels, he added.
“Both vessels, together with their cargo, are estimated worth RM2.08 million. They have been escorted to the MMEA Sandakan jetty for further actions by MMEA investigators in collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB),” Muhamad Suhairy said.
He stressed that MMEA will continue to intensify patrols and enforcement to combat any violations of the law in the nation’s waters.
Members of the public are also urged to channel any information to the Sandakan MMEA Operations Centre at 089 229504 or the emergency hotline 999 to enable swift action. – James Leong
The five suspects nabbed by MMEA Sandakan during the operation.
