4 days ago
Petrol smugglers lose RM155,000
Published on: Friday, August 08, 2025
Published on: Fri, Aug 08, 2025
By: Azmie Lim Text Size: One of the boats loaded with jerry cans containing petrol. SEMPORNA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle subsidised petrol via Tanjung Kapur waters, here, Wednesday. Semporna Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Amir Shubli said while carrying the Op Pluto Timur operation in the area, the MMEA personnel spotted a cargo boat in a suspicious manner at about 1am.
Advertisement 'Acting on tip off, the Banggi 10 boat was mobilised towards the location. However, aware of the presence of MMEA the boat skipper immediately fled into the shallow area. 'The boat skipper later jumped into the water and escaped into the mangrove areas,' he said on Wednesday. Amir said inspection on the boat found the boat modified to the capacity of its fuel tank for the purpose of smuggling fuel to the neighbouring country. It is estimated that 1,100 litres of petrol were stored in the tank and attempted to be smuggled out of the country.
Advertisement All the seizures including the cargo boat, an outboard engine and an electrical pump were estimated worth RM155,000. The seizures were taken to the Semporna Maritime Zone jetty for further action. The case would be investigated under the Control of Supply Act 1961. Meanwhile, the MMEA foiled an attempt by the fuel smuggling syndicate, off Pulau Bum Bum, here, Tuesday. Amir said MMEA seized four boats and petrol worth more than RM10,000. He said, acting on the intelligence of smuggling activities in the area, MMEA launched Ops Pluto Timur, Ops Khas Cegah PATI (OCP) and Ops Tiris in the area. 'Acting on a tip-off, the MMEA team rushed to the location and spotted four pump boats without registration numbers, moving in suspicious condition. 'As soon as the boat skippers sensed the presence of the MMEA patrol boat, they jumped into the water and headed towards a shallow area, leaving their boats behind,' he said. Inspection on the pump boats led to the discovery of 26 jerry cans containing petrol. The seizures were taken to the Azumi Camp jetty for further action. The case will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
