LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle out controlled items via Tanjung Batu waters.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said a suspicious boat attempted to escape upon realising the presence of MMEA personnel during Ops Pluto Timur and Ops Tiris at about 10.30pm last Saturday.
He said the boat was intercepted after 10 minutes of pursuit and upon inspection found two undocumented Filipinos aged between 34 and 41 on board.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“The boat was also found to be carrying 17 gallons containing petrol and 51kg of packaged cooking oil,” he added
The detained crew as well as seized items worth RM80,000 were taken to Felda Sahabat maritime jetty for further action.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supply Act 1961, Immigration Act 1959/63 and Sabah Port and Harbours Enactment.
In a separate case, the MMEA detained a fishing vessel off Pulau Tabawan, Kunak waters, for violating licence terms, on Sunday.
Dzulfikhar said the vessel, operated by four individuals aged between 27 and 39 comprising three Filipinos including the skipper and a local, was detained at about 11.45am.
He said further investigation found the vessel was in violation of the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the shore.
The boat and the crew were brought to Lahad Datu fishery jetty for further action.
Dzulfikhar urged the public to contact Lahad Datu MMEA operation centre via Whatsapp at 016-9305727 or 999 to convey any information on criminal activities or incidents.
