SIBU: The Sarawak Marine Police Region 5 successfully intercepted a tanker ship carrying 300,000 litres of diesel at Tanjung Jerijeh, Batang Rajang, on Wednesday.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said that the seized tanker and its illegal cargo were valued at a total of RM17,310,000.
The patrol boat made the interception at 1.45 pm after spotting the vessel with nine foreign crew members onboard.
“Inspections led to the discovery of 300,000 litres of diesel in the oil storage tanks,” he said.
“Following that, the crew members, aged between 21 and 76, were found to be in possession of the diesel without any valid documentation or permit to possess, store, or carry controlled items. Nor did they have a special permit from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN),” he added.
Mancha also said that the crew members failed to produce any port clearance from the Customs Department.
All seized items and detained crew members have been handed over to KPDN Mukah and the Tanjung Manis Customs Department for further investigations.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
