LABUAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has won a case against a vessel operator who was charged for smuggling bootlegged cigarettes, liquor and alcoholic drinks worth RM2.8 million here the other day.
The vessel operator was charged in court under Section 135(1)(e) of Customs Act 1967 early this year.
Labuan MMEA Enforcement chief, Capt Che Adnan Md Isa said the largest seizure so far was made during an operation on May 5.
“We are glad to have won the case which was granted by the court on Dec 19,” he said in a statement here the other day.
The court also imposed a fine of RM5,000 each on seven people, consisting of crews including a Myanmar national and the vessel’s skipper.
“We will continue to intensify operation and have identified areas used by smugglers,” he added.