KOTA KINABALU: Maritime officials foiled an attempt to smuggle empty liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders during a patrol operation in waters off Tawau.
In the 10.40pm raid on Thursday (Sept 11), maritime officials had come across a vessel near Tanjung Doris and approached to inspect.
“On board, we saw three men comprising a 27-year-old Indonesian skipper, and two others aged 29 and 25,” said Tawau Maritime director Capt Maritime Ariffin Ghazali in a statement, Saturday (Sept 13).
He said all three failed to present any travel documents or permits to bring controlled goods.
Further inspection led to the discovery of 95 gas cylinders of various brands, he said, adding that all items worth about RM52,000 were seized in this raid.
The three suspects were brought back to the Tawau Maritime Jetty along with the seized items.
They will be investigated under the Supply Controls Act 1961, Customs Act 1967, Immigration Act 1959/63 and Ports and Harbours Enactment.
“We will be conducting more operations and raids to find the main culprits behind these smuggling syndicates, and continue to increase patrols on illegal jetties and other hotspots at night,” said Ariffin.
Those who have information on any suspicious maritime activities can provide them to the Tawau Maritime Operations Centre at 089-752116 or the 999 emergency centre for action to be taken, he said.
