MMEA detains local skipper for smuggling gas cylinders

TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) Maritime District 18 (DM18), Tawau detained a local man in the waters of Sungai Haji Kuning after he was believed to be trying to smuggle out nine cylinders of cooking gas to Indonesia early today.
Tawau MMEA director, Capt Romli Mustafa said the agency's DM18 patrol boat detained the speedboat at 9.45am with the 35-year-old local skipper from Pulau Sebatik on board.
"An inspection of the boat found nine cylinders of Shell brand cooking gas suspected to be smuggled out of the district without any valid permit.
"The boat also carried four sacks of used garments," he said in a statement, here, today.
According to him, the skipper was arrested while the boat and all confiscated goods valued at RM12,620 were taken to the DM18 Tawau jetty for further action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
He said the public could channel any information on illegal activities as well as on emergency situations at sea by contacting MERS 999 or the DM18 Tawau Maritime Operations Centre at 089-752115. — Bernama