Latest news with #RomliMustafa
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
MMEA seizes RM900,000 worth of cannabis in Kuala Perlis
KANGAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone foiled an attempt to smuggle 170 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis worth nearly RM900,000 in Kuala Perlis waters early today. Kedah and Perlis MMEA director First Admiral Romli Mustafa said the cannabis seizure from a wooden engine-powered boat at around 3.30 am was the result of intelligence gathered by the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone intelligence unit and continuous patrolling under Op AMAN over the past few days. 'A maritime patrol boat spotted an unregistered wooden vessel about 0.3 nautical miles west of Pulau Ketam using night vision binoculars. 'When the wooden vessel spotted the patrol boat, it changed course toward a mangrove swamp in an attempt to evade capture but was intercepted. One suspect jumped into the sea and swam toward the mangroves to escape,' he told a press conference. Romli said a further check of the boat revealed eight multicoloured gunny sacks containing 157 blocks of compressed dry leaves suspected to be cannabis, wrapped in clear plastic and packaging bearing foreign writing, concealed beneath fishing nets to avoid detection. He said the syndicate's modus operandi involved posing as local fishermen and infiltrating national waters under the cover of darkness to evade authorities. Some local fishermen are also suspected of being involved in these smuggling activities. 'The syndicate was found to be using unregistered wooden boats, likely from a neighbouring country, transferring the drugs to locally operated long-tail engine boats to bring them to shore,' he said. Romli said the amount of cannabis seized could have supplied over 30,000 addicts. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- New Straits Times
MMEA foils attempt to smuggle nearly RM900,000 worth of ganja
KANGAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle in a massive consignment of ganja worth nearly RM900,000 near Kuala Perlis early this morning. The 3.30am operation saw a patrol team intercepting a suspicious wooden boat without registration markings, believed to be operated by a lone smuggler in the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border near Pulau Ketam, Kuala Perlis. Kedah/Perlis MMEA director First Admiral Romli Mustafa said the successful seizure followed days of intelligence gathering. "The suspect tried to change course towards the mangrove swamps surrounding the island after realising our patrol boat was closing in. "He later abandoned the boat and fled by diving into the sea, escaping into the nearby mangrove area," he said here today. A search of the vessel found a heap of tangled fishing nets, under which officers found eight colourful sacks containing 157 blocks of compressed ganja, weighing approximately 170.1kg. Romli said the suspect likely disguised himself as a fisherman and used the fishing nets to conceal the contraband, a tactic meant to evade inspection. "The total seizure is estimated at nearly RM900,000. The amount of drugs seized could have supplied more than 30,000 drug addicts." Preliminary investigations suggest the smuggling operation is part of a wider syndicate involving both locals and foreigners believed to be active in Kedah and Perlis. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Cruise ship operating without licence seized off Langkawi
LANGKAWI: A cruise ship operating with an expired licence was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) during a routine patrol off the island yesterday. The vessel was flagged while conducting water recreational activities about 0.2 nautical miles west of Pulau Lintang Jalan about 6pm. Kedah/Perlis MMEA director First Admiral Maritime Romli Mustafa said the vessel was being operated by a captain and seven crew members, all of whom are Malaysians. "There were 39 passengers on board, 36 of whom were foreign nationals and three Malaysians. "Initial checks found the vessel was believed to be operating with an expired licence, an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952," he said in a statement today. Romli added that the estimated value of the seized vessel and case items is around RM2 million. "The cruise vessel, its crew and the seized items have been brought to the Dayang Bay Maritime Jetty for further investigation. "MMEA will not compromise on any activities that violate maritime laws and remains committed to regular patrols and enforcement efforts within Malaysian maritime zones," he said.
The Star
18-06-2025
- The Star
Kedah MMEA detains two unlicensed, overloaded tourist boats off Langkawi
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two tourist boats in Langkawi waters on Tuesday (June 17) for carrying passengers beyond the permitted limit. Kedah and Perlis maritime director Maritime First Admiral Romli Mustafa said the fibreglass boats were intercepted during a routine patrol. He said the boats, which were spotted 0.1 nautical miles west of Tanjung Kemarong at noon, were found carrying a total of 21 foreign nationals. "Checks revealed that the vessels had violated the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating without valid licences and the Boat Rules 1953 for carrying passengers beyond the permitted limit while conducting tourism activities,' he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 18). The boats, their skippers and passengers were taken to the Kedah and Perlis Maritime jetty for further investigation under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. First Adm Romli said the total value of the seizure was estimated at RM236,000. He said the MMEA would not compromise with any violations and remained committed to curbing illegal activities in the country's waters. "If there is any emergency or criminal activity at sea, the public is urged to call 999 or contact the Kedah and Perlis State Maritime Operations Centre at 04-9662750," he said. – Bernama
The Sun
18-06-2025
- The Sun
MMEA detains tourist boats in Langkawi for overloading
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two tourist boats in Langkawi waters yesterday for carrying passengers beyond the permitted limit. Kedah and Perlis maritime director Maritime First Admiral Romli Mustafa said the fibre boats were intercepted during a routine patrol held under Op Aman, Op Tiris 3.0 and Op Mardof Utara 1/2025. He said both boats, which were spotted 0.1 nautical miles west of Tanjung Kemarong at 12 pm, were found to be carrying two local skippers and 21 foreign nationals. 'Checks revealed that the fibre boats had violated the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating without valid licences and the Boat Rules 1953 for carrying passengers beyond the permitted limit while conducting tourism activities,' he said in a statement here today. The boats and those on board were taken to the Kedah and Perlis Maritime jetty for further investigation under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. Romli said the total value of the seizure was estimated at RM236,000, adding that the MMEA would not compromise with any violations and remained committed to continuing operations to curb illegal activities in the country's waters. 'Should there be any emergency or criminal activity at sea, the public is urged to call 999 or contact the Kedah and Perlis State Maritime Operations Centre at 04-9662750 for swift action,' he said.
