TAWAU - Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized methamphetamine (meth) worth RM1.76 million during a raid here on Monday night.
The 11.10 pm incident saw 32 kilograms of meth seized through Ops Sejahtera by MMEA.
Tawau Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said an MMEA patrol boat detected a boat speeding suspiciously in the area.
They further sped in an attempt to escape towards the Inderasabah River estuary when they saw patrol approaching them.
"While chasing the suspect, the boat crew was seen tossing packages we couldn't identify as it was dark with limited visibility.
"The efforts to stop the boat and suspects failed when the crew sped into the swamp area heading towards the mangroves with shallow waters to escape from being arrested.
"However, we found a bag floating, each weighing about 1 kilogramme," he said during a press conference today.
He said further investigations lead them to find another 32 packets labeled as Chinese tea that contained clear crystals suspected to be meth.
"All seized items were brought to the Tawau Maritime Zone Jetty and were passed to Tawau Maritime Zone Investigation Officer for further actions," he said.
Shahrizan said the syndicate is believed to have smuggled the goods from a neighbouring country and it represents the biggest high-profile drug bust for MMEA in the Tawau zone.
"However, the case is still under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
MMEA will continue to tighten enforcement to prevent activities in East Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone).
He urged those with information on drug sale to call the Tawau Maritime Zone Operator at 089-752116 or 999 emergency line.
The 11.10 pm incident saw 32 kilograms of meth seized through Ops Sejahtera by MMEA.
Tawau Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said an MMEA patrol boat detected a boat speeding suspiciously in the area.
They further sped in an attempt to escape towards the Inderasabah River estuary when they saw patrol approaching them.
"While chasing the suspect, the boat crew was seen tossing packages we couldn't identify as it was dark with limited visibility.
"The efforts to stop the boat and suspects failed when the crew sped into the swamp area heading towards the mangroves with shallow waters to escape from being arrested.
"However, we found a bag floating, each weighing about 1 kilogramme," he said during a press conference today.
He said further investigations lead them to find another 32 packets labeled as Chinese tea that contained clear crystals suspected to be meth.
"All seized items were brought to the Tawau Maritime Zone Jetty and were passed to Tawau Maritime Zone Investigation Officer for further actions," he said.
Shahrizan said the syndicate is believed to have smuggled the goods from a neighbouring country and it represents the biggest high-profile drug bust for MMEA in the Tawau zone.
"However, the case is still under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
MMEA will continue to tighten enforcement to prevent activities in East Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone).
He urged those with information on drug sale to call the Tawau Maritime Zone Operator at 089-752116 or 999 emergency line.