LABUAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle duty-free alcoholic beverages in waters off Menumbuk here yesterday.
Labuan MMEA director, Captain Che Adnan Md Isa, said the raid's success was due to continuous patrol operations and cooperation from the public to curb smuggling activities.
"Upon being alerted on the activity, a patrol boat was deployed to the area, and spotted a suspicious boat at Pulau Daat, at around 8.55pm. They tailed it to a dock at Sungai Klias.
"We saw several individuals loading something from the boat into a white lorry, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle which was parked by the river bank," he said in a statement.
Che Adnan said the MMEA team immediately approached the vehicle, but the suspects managed to flee the scene, but left behind the smuggled items.
The MMEA seized cartons of beer by brands such as Tiger, Guiness Stout and Corona Extra.
All seized beverages, vehicles and boat items, amounting to RM187,000, were taken to the MMEA office for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967.