BATU PAHAT, Feb 24 — The Batu Pahat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had yesterday successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle in 3,000 units of electronic cigarettes from a neighbouring country in the waters off the Minyak Beku passenger ferry terminal here yesterday afternoon.

The MMEA team seized the undeclared electronic cigarettes based on various brands and also detained nine male Indonesian suspects who were operating the ferry.

Batu Pahat MMEA maritime zone director Maritime Commander Mohd Haniff Mohd Yunus said that the seizure and arrests were initiated by the agency’s patrol boat during an operation under Op Jaksa.

He said the MMEA patrol boat had earlier detected the passenger ferry that was sailing from Selat Panjang in Indonesian waters towards the Batu Pahat ferry pier.

"An inspection of the ferry found 30 boxes containing 3,000 units of electronic cigarettes suspected to be brought in illegally from Indonesia.

"The ferry captain and eight ferry crew, aged between 22 and 55, were detained with the seized items,” said Mohd Haniff in a statement today.

Mohd Haniff said the case will be investigated under the provision of the Customs Act 1967 for failing to declare the goods being brought into Malaysia.

"The 30 boxes of electronic cigarettes taht were seized are estimated to be worth RM165,000,” he said.

Mohd Haniff said MMEA will continue to intensify its monitoring, patrolling and enforcement duties from time-to-time in an effort to ensure that Johor waters are safe, peaceful and under control.

He urged the public with information to contact the agency’s hotline at 07-4344020 or through the emergency helpline MERS 999.