TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a cargo boat carrying health products and controlled medicines without approval near Sebatik Island on Tuesday.
Tawau Maritime Zone Director Captain (Maritime) Ariffin Ghazali said the boat, believed to be heading towards Wallace Bay, was detained around 2.10pm about 1.1 nautical miles north of Sungai Salipar after it was found acting suspiciously.
He said the enforcement team aboard the KM Kidurong patrol vessel intercepted the boat during routine Op Sejahtera and Op Tiris patrols in the area.
A 55-year-old local skipper was arrested after failing to present any valid documentation for the cargo, which included boxes of health products and controlled medicines hidden onboard.
Ariffin said the seized items, including the cargo boat and its engine, were worth about RM71,000 and were handed over to the Tawau Maritime Investigation Officer for further action under the Customs Act 1967 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952.
