Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Foils Cigarette Smuggling Attempts

First Operation: Abandoned Speedboat Seized in Tumpat

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 22 blocks of compressed dry leaves suspected to be white cigarettes, valued at approximately RM500,000, in a speedboat. The operation took place in Tumpat at 4 am on Friday, following intelligence gathered by MMEA.

State maritime director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi revealed that the operation began when a suspicious unregistered speedboat was detected moving near the mouth of Sungai Tumpat. The MMEA seized the abandoned speedboat, which contained the suspected cigarettes. The case is now being investigated under the Customs Act 1968.

Second Operation: Smugglers Intercepted in Kota Bharu

In a separate operation, MMEA intercepted a group of smugglers along the banks of Sungai Kelantan, near Pulau Gagak, in Kuala Besar, Kota Bharu. This operation resulted in the seizure of 280,000 sticks of white cigarettes, valued at RM100,000.

The seizure occurred after MMEA’s patrol boat was deployed to the area based on intelligence gathered. The authorities acted quickly after receiving the information at 12.40 am and managed to stop the illegal activity. The cigarettes were believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country for the local market.

Captain Erwan Shah’s Appeal

Captain Erwan Shah called on the public to report any suspicious activities or incidents via the emergency hotline 999 or the MMEA Kelantan Operations Centre at 09-7780070. He emphasized the importance of public cooperation in combating smuggling activities.

Consequences of Smuggling

Smuggling activities not only harm the country’s economy but also pose a threat to public health and safety. The illegal cigarettes seized by MMEA may have been produced without proper quality control measures, which could lead to harmful effects on consumers.

Conclusion

The MMEA’s successful operations in Tumpat and Kota Bharu demonstrate the agency’s commitment to combating smuggling activities in the region. The public’s cooperation is crucial in preventing such illegal activities from taking place.

FAQs

Q: What was the total value of the cigarettes and speedboat seized in the first operation?
A: The total value was estimated to be RM500,000.

Q: Where was the second operation conducted?
A: The second operation was conducted along the banks of Sungai Kelantan, near Pulau Gagak, in Kuala Besar, Kota Bharu.

Q: How many sticks of cigarettes were seized in the second operation?
A: A total of 280,000 sticks of white cigarettes were seized.

Q: What is the estimated value of the cigarettes seized in the second operation?
A: The estimated value is RM100,000.