Two brothers believed to be acting as transporters for a drug syndicate have been arrested during a routine patrol by the Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which also uncovered drugs worth an estimated RM7 million.
Johor MMEA acting director Maritime Capt Kama Azri Kamil said the suspects were intercepted about 3.5 nautical miles (6.48km) south-east of Tanjung Piai on Monday (June 29), following surveillance operations in the area.
He said enforcement officers tracked a fibreglass boat carrying the two men before detaining them at 12.36am during the operation.
“The suspects were believed to be waiting for a boat from a neighbouring country to offload the drugs,” he said during a press conference at the Johor MMEA headquarters in Menara Tabung Haji, Johor Baru, on Wednesday (July 1).
According to him, the two suspects, aged 26 and 40, are believed to have been involved in multiple drug transport activities and were allegedly paid RM17,000 per trip.
He said the seized items included 88.2kg of methamphetamine worth about RM4.41 million and 30,000 ecstasy pills valued at RM2.25 million.
The operation also led authorities to a village in Gelang Patah, where 787 vape cartridges containing a new synthetic drug known as “Piu Piu” were discovered in a car, with an estimated value of RM196,750.
MMEA also seized the car, valued at RM50,000, and the boat worth RM40,000 as part of the investigation.
Both suspects have been remanded for seven days until July 7 and tested positive for methamphetamine, authorities confirmed.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Authorities have urged the public to provide information on maritime-related crimes via the Johor MMEA operations hotline or emergency services.
