KOTA TINGGI, Sept 2 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two vessels suspected of carrying out unauthorised ship-to-ship activities in national waters early yesterday morning, with the value of the seized goods estimated at RM260 million.

Tanjung Sedili Zone Maritime acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the action was carried out at 3.20am after receiving public information regarding two suspicious vessels seen huddled together at a position about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai.

“Further inspection also found a quantity of oil cargo believed to have no documents relating to ownership and delivery.

The two vessels, consisting of a tugboat and a dredger, each registered in Malaysia, along with the oil cargo, have been detained for further investigation,” he said.

Mohd Najib said the tugboat was operated by a crew of five including the skipper, consisting of local and Indonesian citizens aged between 26 and 58 years, while the dredger was operated by a crew of 13 including the skipper, all local citizens aged between 22 and 51 years.

The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (OPS) 1952 for suspected ship-to-ship activities without the permission of the Malaysian Director of Marine.

The case is also being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the OPS 1952 for anchoring without permission and the Customs Act 1967 regarding the discovery of a cargo of oil suspected of not having the relevant documents. — Bernama