PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) nabbed 20 individuals for various offences during a two-day integrated operation in waters off Bagan Datuk, Selangor.
MMEA Maritime Crime Investigation Branch director First Admiral Ibrahim Mohamed said a total of 186 individuals were inspected, comprising 29 Malaysians, 77 Thais, 15 Indonesians, 57 Cambodians and eight Myanmar.
"Of this number, we arrested 20 individuals, 11 of whom will be investigated under Section 15 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act; five for offences under Section 6 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act; and four under Section 8 (b) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
"We also seized a Class C local boat worth RM1.5 million for not conforming with the law under the Fisheries Act," Ibrahim said in a statement today.
The operation was conducted by MMEA, together with the National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada) and the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (Sting) to combat illegal activities in Malaysian waters, especially ones involving illicit drugs.
The operation was conducted from Jan 6 to 7.
Ibrahim said several fishing boats which passed through Bagan Datuk waters were also inspected.
"Besides that, we carried out inspections on every fish cage found in the Hutan Melintang area. We also conducted urine tests, with the assistance of Nada and Sting.
"Our main mission is to enforce all federal regulations in keeping with the MMEA Act 2004, and to focus on crimes involving narcotics, human trafficking, immigrant smuggling, customs offences; immigration offences such as issues related to passports; as well as offences under the Fisheries Act," he added.
The MMEA deployed two ships, three boats and a helicopter during the operation, which involved the participation of 11 officers and 46 personnel from the MMEA; seven Nada personnel; and three officers and four personnel from Sting.