MMEA Conducted 851 Seizure Cases, Seized Equipment Worth RM84 Mln Since Start Of 2025

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) conducted 851 seizure cases involving various maritime offences since January till July this year, with a total of RM84 million in seizures.

Its acting deputy director-general of operations, Rear Admiral (M) Mohd Zawawi Abdullah said the cases involved offences such as intrusion by foreign fishermen, human trafficking, smuggling of cigarettes, alcohol, subsidised goods and vessel violations.

“There has yet to be any arrests linked to firearms smuggling but the MMEA with the cooperation of all enforcement agencies in the country will continue to conduct operations and exchange related information.

“The most common forms of smuggling include cigarettes, human trafficking and drugs,” he told reporters after officiating the MMEA Merdeka programme here today.  

On new methods used by syndicates, he said that drones are now used to monitor areas before smuggling attempts are conducted.

“When I was working in northern Malaysia, they would smuggle cockle seeds, ketum and drugs, and usually syndicates would fly drones.

“Thanks to the partnership with the police and armed forces at the border, we foiled several smuggling attempts,” he said, adding that the introduction of certain apps also became a challenge for the MMEA to conduct operations in the field.

On new MMEA assets, he said that the agency would procure assets such as the AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter and the ex-United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Steadfast from the US to boost operations.

“We will receive four AW189 helicopters capable of conducting flight as well as  search and rescue operations at a wider coverage area,” he added.

-- BERNAMA