ESSCom warns smugglers to stop activities
LAHAD DATU: Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) Commander, DCP Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman has warned smugglers of subsidized items, especially petrol smugglers to stop their activities.
Ahmad Fuad said ESSCom will not be silent and will track down smugglers who intend to smuggle out petrol to neighbouring countries via hidden routes (Laluan Tikus).
"ESSCom will continue to track down the skippers involved in smuggling activities, so I advise them to stop such activities," he said, in a statement yesterday.
The warning was issued following the detention of a speed boat attempting to smuggle out 23 jerry cans of fuel to a neighbouring country.
The speed boat was spotted at about 2.45 pm off Sisipan waters, Semporna by ESSCom with cooperation from the Police Air Force and Semporna Marine Police.
Results of the investigation found that the boat was attempting to smuggle fuel worth RM16,845 to a neighbouring country through an ungazetted path. The seized items were taken to Semporna Marine Police base for further action.
In the meantime, Ahmad Fuad said the fuel was suspected for use by cross border criminals especially kidnap for ransom groups from the Southern Philippines to carry out robberies in our waters.
"ESSCom through the Ops Cegah Pati (OCP) east will further increase and strengthen sea and air patrol especially in hotspot areas with the cooperation from all enforcement agencies especially from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Police, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to curb smuggling activities," he said.
In this regard, he urged the public to immediately report to ESSCom Operation Centre at 089-863 181 or the nearest police station in the event of any smuggling activities or illegal immigrants in their respective areas for immediate action.
He added that cooperation and support from the public are welcome in efforts to curb smuggling activities, especially involving fuel and cigarettes, from occuring in our country.