Malaysian maritime authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle 78,400 sticks of contraband cigarettes in Sandakan waters following a late-night operation.
Sandakan Maritime Zone director Kepten Maritim Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said enforcement teams spotted a suspicious vessel near the Tanah Merah water village during Op PLUTO TIMUR / Op KHAS CEGAH PATI (OCP) and Op TIRIS at around 11:00 pm on Tuesday.
“A patrol team spotted the vessel moving suspiciously and ordered it to stop using a loudspeaker and siren for inspection,” he said.
The vessel’s operator, however, accelerated towards shallow waters near Kampung Tanah Merah in an apparent escape attempt.
A suspect believed to be onboard abandoned the boat and fled, but officers intercepted the vessel 15 minutes later, 0.2 nautical miles east of Kampung Tanah Merah.
Further inspection uncovered a stash of smuggled cigarettes along with a 40-horsepower outboard engine.
“The total value of the seizure, including the smuggled cigarettes, engine, and vessel, is estimated to exceed RM63,000,” Muhamad Suhairy said.
The seized items were taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone jetty before being handed over to investigators under the Customs Act 1967 and the Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002.
Authorities are working to identify the vessel’s owner and those behind the smuggling operation.
The public is urged to report suspicious activities at sea to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 or the emergency hotline 999. – February 7, 2025.
