MIRI: An oil tanker carrying 90,000 litres of contraband diesel worth RM1.5mln has been seized and four of its crew—all Indonesians—detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) off Miri waters.
According to Miri MMEA commander Eizanizam Muhammad Eng, the vessel was stopped during an operation carried out at about 1.7 nautical miles west of the Sungai Miri rivermouth around 2.35am, Sunday (Jun 9).
“While on patrol in the area that morning, our team aboard the Kilat 42 boat detected the vessel and upon investigation, they found the contraband diesel inside.”
Four Indonesians, aged between 23 and 51, and the vessel were escorted to the Vessel Detention Centre (PTV) jetty for further investigation.
Further investigation found that the vessel had also committed several offences, including failing to produce a domestic shipping license (DSL), no Petroleum Development Act (PDA) certificate, port clearance pass and Form C.
“The vessel also committed offences under the Control of Supply Act 1961 and failed to produce the Letter of Control Supplies Act (CSA) document.”
The case would be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and the Control of Supply Act 1961.
For complaints and information regarding any suspicious activities at sea, the public can contact the Miri MMEA at 085-418204 or Sarawak MMEA at 082-432544 or MERS 999, which operates 24 hours.
