TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested a suspected “oil runner” at 1.7 nautical miles south of Batu 3, here, for transporting 37.8 litres of petrol, believed to be intended for smuggling into a neighbouring country.
Tawau Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said the 24-year-old local was detained by MMEA personnel during “Ops Pluto Timur” and “Ops Tiris” at 9.55pm.
He said the boat was detected moving rapidly and in a suspicious manner.
Captain Shahrizan
“An inspection of the boat revealed 37.8 litres of petrol, and the suspect failed to show any permit authorising the transportation of subsidised goods.
“The petrol is believed to be intended for smuggling out of the country, and the suspect was subsequently arrested,” said Shahrizan.
He said the location of Tawau, situated along the border between Malaysia and Indonesia, posed a significant challenge for law enforcement in tackling cross-border crime activities.
“We do not rule out the possibility of runners engaged in the activity of transporting controlled goods in small quantities, repeatedly, to penetrate the market in neighbouring countries.
“However, the MMEA will continue enforcement efforts to combat the smuggling of controlled or subsidised goods,” he said.
Shahrizan added that his team recorded 108 arrests involving a total seizure value of RM12.2 million last year, with 9,187 vessel inspections conducted in the waters here.
He also said the MMEA would continue to strengthen enforcement duties and optimise operations to combat illegal activities in the Malaysian Maritime Zone, especially in the waters of Eastern Sabah (Esszone).
Therefore, he requested the cooperation of the public, especially the maritime community, to channel any complaints of criminal misconduct in Tawau to the Tawau Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-752116 and the emergency line 999.
