SEMPORNA: The Sabah Marine Police intensified monitoring and enforcement operations in the state’s waters to combat smuggling and the entry of illegal immigrants.
Acting on intelligence, on April 25 about 7.00 am, a team of Marine Policemen intercepted a suspicious speedboat in the waters off Pulau Bohayen here.
A search of the vessel uncovered six boxes containing a total of 144 bottles of alcoholic liquor, specifically Tanduay Rhum Dark. The alcohol was believed to be untaxed and smuggled in from the Philippines.
The total estimated value of the seizure is RM51,320. The boat’s skipper and another individual were also detained to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967.
In a separate operation on the same day, a joint team comprising the Semporna Marine Police and the District Police Criminal Investigation Division stopped and inspected another boat in the waters off Pulau Boheyan.
Further inspection revealed seven individuals failed to produce any valid identification documents. All of them admitted to being citizens of a neighbouring country and were believed to be attempting to enter Malaysia illegally.
All seven individuals, along with the boat’s skipper, were detained for further action. The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).
The State Marine Police reiterated its commitment to strengthening national water security and vowed to take firm action against any cross-border criminal activities that threaten the country’s safety and sovereignty. – James Leong
The suspects and items seized by the Marine Police in Semporna on Saturday.
