MMEA detains 2 ships suspected of unauthorised activities
It also seizes a cargo of oil worth about RM260 million, suspected of lacking ownership and delivery documents.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) apprehended two ships, a tugboat and a dredger, suspected of unauthorized ship-to-ship activities within national waters early yesterday morning. The detained vessels, valued at an estimated RM260 million, were found off the coast of Tanjung Buai, approximately 1.4 nautical miles northwest.
Acting director of the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone, Najib Sam, revealed the detention following reports of suspicious-looking vessels. Upon closer inspection, authorities discovered oil cargo lacking proper ownership and delivery documentation. The tugboat, crewed by five locals and Indonesian citizens aged between 26 and 58, and the dredger, operated by a team of 13 locals aged 22 to 51, are now under investigation for suspected unauthorized activities.
The case is being probed under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (OPS) 1952, which deals with unauthorized ship-to-ship activities without permission from the Malaysian director of marine. Additionally, the dredger is also under investigation for anchoring without permission, and the Customs Act 1967 for the discovery of oil cargo suspected of being improperly documented.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
