LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle a Yamaha motorcycle and seized 240 litres of petrol during an operation in the waters off Felda Sahabat on Wednesday.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali said MMEA personnel spotted a suspicious boat without a registration number about 0.35 nautical miles south-west of Kg Sinakut Tengah during Ops Sejahtera and Ops Tiris 4.0.
When the patrol boat approached to intercept it, the individual on board sped towards the coastline before fleeing into nearby bushes.
“An inspection of the abandoned boat found 12 gallons containing about 240 litres of petrol and a Yamaha motorcycle.
“The items are believed to have been intended for smuggling to a neighbouring country,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Dzulfikhar said the boat and seized items, with an estimated total value of RM50,000, were taken to the Felda Sahabat Maritime base for further action before being handed over to the investigating officer.
He said investigations were being conducted under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Customs Act 1967.
Dzulfikhar added that MMEA would intensify enforcement operations and patrols to curb cross-border crime and safeguard the country’s maritime sovereignty and security.
Members of the public with information or who witness suspicious activities at sea are urged to contact the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Operations Centre via WhatsApp at 016-930 5727 or call the MERS 999 emergency line.
