BATU PAHAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs, believed to be methamphetamine worth RM10 million, in the waters off Sungai Ayam here at 1am on May 16.
State deputy director of operations, Maritime Captain Kama Azri Kamil said the seizure, the largest in the past five years, was achieved through intelligence regarding the suspicious movement of a fibreglass boat in the area.
He said a patrol boat was deployed to inspect and intercept the vessel but the suspects, upon noticing the authorities, sped off into shallow waters before jumping off and escaping into the mangrove forest.
“Two suspects are believed to have escaped, leaving behind a boat with a 200-horsepower outboard engine.
“Upon inspecting the boat, they found 12 sacks filled with plastic packages containing crystalline powder believed to be methamphetamine,” he told a press conference at the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone today.
Kama Azri said each sack weighed 25kg, bringing the total seizure to 300kg, adding that the drugs could have fed the habit of over a million addicts.
He said the seized items, including the fibreglass boat, were taken to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone, with the case being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“MMEA will not compromise and will continue to intensify operations and enforcement to curb cross-border criminal activities,” he added.
– Bernama
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