Two tankers were detained by Malaysian authorities on April 11 on suspicion of conducting an illegal ship-to-ship (STS) fuel transfer, with all 22 crew members arrested.
The operation was carried out by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in coordination with the Ministry of Internal Trade following a tip-off received at 10:45 a.m. regarding suspicious activity near Bagan Agam, off Penang. A patrol vessel dispatched to the area found the two ships moored alongside each other, indicating an ongoing STS operation.
Both vessels were seized, and all 22 crewmembers were taken into custody for further investigation.
Authorities reported the seizure of approximately 800,000 litres of fuel, estimated to be worth RM5.43 million (around $1.37 million).
An investigation is ongoing, and the vessels could face fines.
Waters off Penang are known as a hotspot for fuel smuggling activities. Authorities have intensified enforcement amid rising risks linked to fuel shortages and ongoing disruptions in global energy markets.
