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TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a passenger boat loaded with 500 litres of fuel without a permit, here, Friday. 

Tawau Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said a MMEA team on “Op Khas Pagar Laut” and “Ops Tiris” duty detected the boat heading towards Pulau Sebatik.

He said the skipper sped to the Customs and Quarantine (CIQ) Tawau jetty before fleeing, leaving the boat and its cargo behind.

An inspection on the boat found more than 20 gallons of petrol believed to be smuggled out of the country.

“The boat and cargo were confiscated and taken to the Tawau Maritime Zone Jetty before being handed over to the investigating officer for investigation under the Supply Control Act 1961,” he said.

Shahrizan said the seized items, including the boat, its engine and cargo were valued at RM43,000.