KUDAT: The Kudat Zone Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) detained a boat with four Filipinos carrying various types of controlled goods in Kudat waters, recently.
Kudat Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Maurice Grenville Abeyeratne, said the patrol boat, was sent to the location after being tipped off at 10pm.
He said the four suspects, aged between 17 and 48, were detained along with the boat and seized goods, northwest of Guhuan Island, Banggi.
“Further inspection also revealed a total of 19 gas barrels, 13 sacks (each containing five packs of 10kg) of rice, 340 packets of cooking oil, 70 packets of flour, and 168 packets of sugar on the boat, all without any valid permit and suspected to be smuggled to the Philippines.
“The suspects, along with the boat and the seized goods, were detained for further investigation. The total value of the seized goods, including the boat, is estimated to be approximately RM19,000.
“The case is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961, the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the Paddy and Rice Control Act 1994,” he said.
The public can assist APMM Kudat by reporting any misconduct or criminal activity at sea.
Reports can be made to Maritime Malaysia at 088-611858 (Kudat Operations Centre) and Mers 999.
