The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kudat zone intercepted a boat on Thursday (Oct 26) that was carrying controlled items without a permit. The director of Kudat MMEA, Maritime Commander Maurice Grenville Abeyeratne, stated that the team received intelligence information and proceeded to the location 0.2 nautical miles south of Tanjung Pegasan, Pitas at 5am.
Upon arrival, they discovered a suspicious pump boat. However, as they approached the vessel, the skipper managed to escape by steering the boat into shallow waters and fleeing into the nearby mangrove area.
During the inspection, the authorities discovered 400kg of cooking oil in packets and 50 packets of wheat flour on the unnumbered boat. The seized boat and confiscated goods have an estimated value of RM16,000. They were then transported to the jetty and handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
This incident is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 due to the suspicion of carrying controlled goods without proper permission.
