Two Men Arrested For Trying To Smuggle 1,550 Litres Of Petrol To Neighbouring Countries

SANDAKAN, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested two foreign men with 62 barrels, containing 1,550 litres of petrol, on a cargo ship 0.8 nautical miles west of Pulau Berhala here early this morning, believed to be intended for smuggling to neighbouring countries.

Sandakan maritime zone director Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the men, aged 38 and 42, were the skipper and crew member of the cargo ship, and were arrested at 1.35 am after the vessel was spotted acting suspiciously and trying to flee when approached by MMEA forces.

"A search of the boat found the barrels. Both suspects also did not have identification documents, and the cargo vessel did not have an operating licence," he said in a statement here today.

Meanwhile, he said the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1962, the Immigration Act 1959/1963 and the Sabah Port and Wharf Enactment 2002.

Suhairy also urged the public to channel information related to smuggling activities or maritime crimes to the Sandakan Maritime Operations Centre at 089-222519 or 999 for further action.

-- BERNAMA