KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,600 cartons of cigarettes near Tanjung Rhu waters on Sunday.
Klang district Maritime Enforcement Capt Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the smuggling activity was spotted at 8pm after a maritime patrol boat received information about the presence of a suspicious boat heading for the straits at Lumut beach.
“The maritime patrol boats received the news from MRCC Lumut while they were on their Ops Satria Selatan.” “They rushed to the location and found a fibreglass boat moving in a suspicious manner with it carrying cartons of contraband cigarettes.
“When we were discovered the smugglers rerouted back to the border,” he said. While in pursuit one of the smugglers used a sword to threaten and attack MMEA enforcement officers. The boat managed to escape to Indonesian waters after almost an hour of chase.
“Though the smugglers have fled the cigarettes they have dumped into the sea have been brought back to the jetty. MMEA will continue to further enhance our operations to curb the smuggling activity, mainly at hot spot areas,” he said. The public is urged to report to the authorities of any smuggling activities.
