Malaysia: MMEA seizes vessel and arrest five men for illegal subsidised diesel transfer

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (8 August) arrested five men and seized about 28,000 subsidised diesel after the men were suspected of being involved in an illegal diesel transfer activity at Muara Sungai Paloh, Pasir Gudang in Johor. 

Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said they also seized an offshore vessel, a tank truck and a four-wheel drive vehicle, bringing the total value of the seizure to more than RM3.3 million. 

Nurul Hizam said after receiving a tip-off, a MMEA patrol vessel was sent to the location at 12.30 am to investigate the suspected activity. 

“When the patrol boat arrived, the boat and tanker were found to be connected to each other with hoses and oil pumps.”

“Further investigation found that the vessel was operated by three crew members, including a local captain and two Indonesians, aged 29 to 64,” he said, in a statement, adding all three suspects failed to produce any documents for the diesel.

Nurul Hizam said they also arrested the other two men who were in the four-wheel drive vehicle, a Malaysian and a Myanmar national aged 48 and 58, on suspicion of being involved in the illegal activity.

The case is being investigated under Section 361(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Section 135(c) of the Customs Act 1967, Regulation 18 of the Control of Supply Act (Amendment) 2021 and Regulation 21 of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 10 August, 2023