Kota Kinabalu: Six boat engines were confiscated by the marine police during a four-day Ops Pensura that ended here on June 13. City Marine Police Commanding Officer ASP Safri Anuar Jamin said a total of three boats were also seized together with the engines. "We conducted a special operation to detain and trace those responsible for the rampant cases of stolen boat engines occurring off the waters here," he said on Tuesday.
The operation, he said, was focused on river mouths and squatter settlements in the area involving a total of four boats manned by 25 personnel.
He however said that no arrest was made during the operation and believed that the culprits might have escaped to a neighbouring country after realising their presence.
"The confiscated items have been sent to the City Marine Police base to identify whether the items were among those reported missing," he said.
He said individuals who have lost their boats and engines are advised to come to the marine base and to bring along their relevant documents relating to the boat and engines reported missing. The team, he said, also solved other cases under the Immigration Act and Dangerous Drugs Act among others during the operation.
"Based on intelligence and information gathered, most of the cases involving stolen engines and boats are caused by the owners' negligence such as leaving their boats unmonitored and not taking preventive measures by locking their engines," he said.
He advised boat owners, particularly those living along the coastline or river mouths to be more cautious particularly when it comes to taking care of their belongings.
"To avoid such incidents, they are advised to take preventive measures such as forming a committee to monitor the jetty where their boats and engines are kept particularly at night, lock their boat engines, hire security guards or take their engines home with them," he said.
Towards this end, he urged the community to channel information on such activities in their area by contacting the police at 088-243925 or 088-310240 (mobile office).
