LAHAD DATU: A pre-dawn smuggling attempt off Merabung Beach was foiled by the district marine police here on June 13 following a public tip-off.
A suspicious boat was detected and tried to flee, sparking a chase that ended when the vessel was intercepted. However, the boat’s skipper jumped into the sea and is believed to have escaped to a nearby rocky shoreline.
A subsequent search of the boat uncovered 150 cartons of various cigarette brands, two LPG cylinders, two pump engines and five empty 30-litre jerry cans – all believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country.
Efforts to track down the suspect were unsuccessful. All seized items, valued at RM51,910, were taken to the Lahad Datu Marine Police Base for further action. – James Leong
The contraband goods and boat confiscated by Lahad Datu Marine Police.
