SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sandakan Zone foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,020 packets of subsidised cooking oil after detaining a boat in an operation in the waters off Sungai Tanjung Batu on Sept 13.
MMEA Sandakan Deputy Director Komander Maritim Ahmad Firdaus Shaari, said the success resulted from continuous patrols and surveillance by MMEA patrol boats conducting Op Sejahtera, Op Cegah PATI (OCP) and Op Tiris 4.0.
He said the boat was spotted behaving suspiciously at 5.00 am before being intercepted about 0.01 nautical miles northwest of Sungai Tanjung Batu.
“When the operational team approached the boat, a man believed to be its skipper sped towards the river before entering a mangrove area and fleeing to avoid arrest.
“Inspection of the boat found 60 bundles containing subsidised cooking oil, estimated at 1,020 packets in total. Two outboard engines, with 75hp and 85hp respectively, were also found,” he said.
He said the boat and its cargo were suspected of committing an offence under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for transporting controlled goods without a valid permit or authorisation.
All seized items, together with the boat, estimated to be worth RM60,550, were taken to the MMEA Sandakan Jetty before being handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
Ahmad Firdaus said attempts by syndicates to carry out smuggling in small quantities showed they were constantly looking for opportunities to evade the authorities.
“MMEA will continue to enhance patrols and enforcement operations continuously, at all hours, to eradicate smuggling and ensure the security and sovereignty of the country’s waters are always safeguarded.
“We will not compromise on any smuggling activity that undermines national security and causes the leakage of subsidised controlled goods.
“Members of the public with any information on criminal activity or emergencies at sea are urged to contact the MMEA Sandakan Operations Centre at 089-229504 or the emergency line 999 for immediate action,” he said. – James Leong
The confiscated subsidised cooking oil at the MMEA Sandakan jetty on Sept 13.
