Malaysia: MMEA detains fishing vessel with 700 litres of diesel in hidden, modified tank
- Published
by Admin
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Saturday (26 November) detained a local fishing vessel and detained its six foreign crew members in Kuala Kedah waters for allegedly modifying a fuel tank onboard illegally, on Friday (Nov 25).
Deputy Director (Operations) of the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone, Maritime Lieutenant Zool Hilmi bin Mohd Nadzir said said the agency’s patrol boat detected a local fishing boat and was stopped after displaying several suspicious signs at 1.5 nautical miles southwest of Kuala Kedah at 5.30pm the night before.
On inspection, enforcement officers found a hidden space was added on deck and was covered in hopes the officers would not find it.
Upon inspecting the hidden space, the officers then found an additional fibre-type tank that was modified and contained about 700 litres of diesel oil.
The estimated value of diesel oil that is being smuggled is worth RM 1,505. MMEA suspects the boat is involved in smuggling fuel oil in Kuala Kedah waters.
“The six Thai and Cambodian men, aged between 30 and 61 years, and the boat have been detained and has been brought to Kuala Kedah Maritime Jetty for further investigations”, he said.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 28 November, 2022
