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KOTA TINGGI – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) busted a syndicate believed to be involved in smuggling 80,000 litres of diesel worth RM3.62 million in Sg Lebam here last night.
Johor MMEA director Nurul Hizam Zakaria said a patrol boat detected an oil tanker in the waters of Sg Lebam at 10.05pm.
He said that 30 minutes later, they managed to arrest ten crew members, including two Indonesians and two local men aged 19 and 60 believed to be lorry drivers.
“The vessel registered in Zanzibar, Tanzania was believed to be transferring oil, and tried to escape upon spotting the MMEA patrol boat,” he told reporters at the Pengerang Maritime post in Tg Pengelih here today.
Also seized were the tanker, two tanker lorries, a Perodua Bezza, and oil pumps, he said, adding that the vessel had previously been detained for illegal anchoring.
“We have been monitoring oil-smuggling activity as it is a serious offence that has a detrimental impact on the country. This is the first arrest made by Johor MMEA this year involving a diesel-smuggling syndicate,” he said.
Nurul Hizam said all those detained would be taken to the Tg Sedili Maritime Zone Office for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 491B (1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Regulation 18 of the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Act 2021, Regulation 21 of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, and the Customs Act 1967. – Bernama, February 7, 2023