SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt by a local cargo boat to bring in illegal immigrants, here, Sunday afternoon.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Zainudin Mohd Zuki, said the boat was intercepted and detained around 4.30pm 0.3 nautical mile southwest of Pulau Libaran.
He said the boat, skippered by a 42-year-old local, was suspected of travelling from Boan Island, Philippines to Sandakan.
“The boat passengers comprised three men aged 35 to 63 and three women aged 22 to 60.
“One of them is an IMM13 pass holder while the other five do not have any valid identification documents,” he said, adding that further inspection found the boat licence had expired.
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