Malaysia: MMEA detains fishing vessel with 8,000 litres of diesel in modified additional tank
- Published
by Admin
The Kuala Perlis Zone Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (6 December) said it detained a Class C fishing boat around 8.13 on 5 December in the waters of Kuala Peralis, Perlis.
The C-class fishing boat was detained at about 1.2 nautical miles from the west of the Kuala Perlis estuary, Perlis when MMEA patrol boat was on Op Aman patrol.
According to the Director of the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone, Maritime Commander Mohd Hashim bin Mat Zain, the boat was found to have been modified with an additional fuel tank, which is believed to be an attempt to illegally smuggle diesel into a neighbouring country.
The estimated value of confiscated diesel fuel is as much as 8,000 litres with a value of RM16,000. The overall value of the confiscated goods includes a boat, engine, and diesel fuel around RM216,000.
He said the arrests are the result of intelligence information and monitoring carried out by the Kuala Perlis zone Risk Unit (ZMKP).
At the time of inspection, the boat involved was operated by three Malaysians aged between 22 and 38 years.
The case will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for modifying additional oil tanks without permission and violating the requirements of the boat’s licence and the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for attempting to smuggle out subsidised diesel fuel.
The boat and the trio were brought into the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone jetty and handed over to investigating officers for further action.
Photo credit: Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 7 December, 2022
