TAWAU, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- A man's attempt to smuggle 9.6 tonnes of granulated sugar across the border using a cargo boat was thwarted when the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted him 2.4 nautical miles south of Batu 3 here yesterday.
Tawau MMEA director, Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman, said the suspect was spotted around 8.30 am during an operation as his cargo boat was heading from Sungai Tawau toward the national maritime border.
“The suspect failed to present any permits for the controlled goods onboard, nor was there a customs declaration for the cargo. His name was also not registered on the boat’s licence,” he said in a statement today.
“A thorough inspection uncovered 9,600 kilogrammes of granulated sugar, packed in one-kilogramme packets, with the total seizure, including the boat, valued at about RM60,000,” he said in a statement today.
The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Department Enactment.
Shahrizan urged the public to report any criminal activity to the Tawau Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-752116 or via the emergency line 999 to strengthen security enforcement efforts.
-- BERNAMA
