SEMPORNA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) halted an attempt to smuggle 340 packets of cooking oil out through Semporna waters at 9.30am on Monday.Semporna Maritime Zone Director Norrimi Hassan said the maritime team patrolling the area initially noticed a pump boat without a registration number.
The pump boat was travelling suspiciously some 0.5 nautical miles north of Pulau Kulapuan.
“When approached, the pump boat steered towards shallow water and its skipper jumped into the water before disappearing into the nearby land,” said Norrimi.
The overall seizure including the boat and two pump engines amounted to RM5,350.
The case is probed under the Control of Supply Act 1961.
Efforts are being done to track down the boat owner and mastermind behind the activity.
The public has been urged to contact the Semporna Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-782619 or MERS 999 should they come across any smuggling activity including maritime-related crimes.
