The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang detained two dredgers after they were found carrying sand cargo exceeding the permitted limit during an operation yesterday.
Penang Maritime director Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the vessels were intercepted about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Rimau while officers were conducting routine patrols in the area.
Initial inspections found that each vessel had 14 foreign crew members on board, comprising five Indonesian nationals and nine Chinese nationals.
Both vessels were operated by Indonesian captains aged 28 and 31, respectively.
Further checks revealed that the two dredgers were suspected of committing an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for transporting sand beyond the approved capacity.
Muhammad Suffi said the total value of the seizure involving both vessels and their sand cargo was estimated at RM400 million.
He added that three crew members from each vessel were detained and brought to the Penang Maritime State Headquarters before being handed over to Maritime Investigation Officers for further action and investigation.
