TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here seized 3,400 kilograms of cooking oil that was about to be smuggled to a neighbouring country, on Monday.
District enforcement chief Anor Hj Jaafar said the cooking oil was seized from a ‘kumpit’ boat near Sebatik Island.
The 35-year old skipper, who did not have any identification document and license, was detained for further investigation.
Anor said the boat with registered number STW00318SK was stopped near Sungai Melayu, Tawau and the case would be investigated under the Control Supply Act 1961.
A check on the boat revealed 200 boxes of subsidized cooking oil without any valid letter of release.
He said MMEA would continue its enforcement duty in Sabah waters, especially in Tawau. The public can channel smuggling information to the agency at 089-752116.