TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained several boats for various offences in a series of separate operations in Eastern Sabah waters.
In Tawau early Feb 26, two boats were stopped within an hour. A local fishing vessel was caught trawling too close to shore, violating its license conditions.
“Shortly after, a cargo boat was detained for transporting 12 LPG cylinders without a permit. The four Indonesian crew and two local operators, aged 27 to 44, are being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and other laws. The seizures are valued at nearly RM85,000,” Tawau MMEA Director Kepten Maritim Ariffin Ghazali said.
In Lahad Datu on Feb 25, MMEA foiled a smuggling attempt off Sungai Sepagaya, intercepting two unregistered boats carrying 24 mangrove and timber logs suspected stolen, Lahad Datu MMEA Director Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali stated.
The suspects fled into a mangrove swamp. The case is being probed under the Forest Enactment 1968, with total seizures valued at RM8,000.
Meanwhile, Sandakan MMEA Director Kepten Maritim Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said two local fishing vessels were detained in separate midnight raids on Feb 26 for breaching license conditions by fishing too close to shore.
The crew, comprising local, Indonesian, and Filipino fishermen, were held under the Fisheries Act 1985. The seizures, including three tons of catch, are valued at RM312,000. – James Leong
A Lahad Datu MMEA personnel carrying out checks on a boat on Wednesday night.
