KOTA TINGGI: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a China-registered ship carrying scrap metal and artillery shells in the waters off east Johor today.
Johor Maritime Director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the vessel was located at 20.1 nautical miles east of Tanjung Siang.
The metal and artillery shells are believed to be more than 80 years old.
In a statement, he said the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone patrol team had initially detained the ship for anchoring illegally at 12.45pm.
"When inspected, the crew failed to present any anchoring permission from the Marine Department director-general.
"The vessel was manned by 32 men including the captain. The crew comprised 21 Chinese nationals, 10 Bangladeshi nationals and a local. They were aged between 23 and 57 years.
"Further checks found that there were scrap metal and artillery shells allegedly linked to the unexploded ordnances case at Tanjung Belungkor on May 19," he said in a statement today.
Nurul Hizam added that the MMEA would work with the police, the Marine and the National Heritage departments to identify the artillery shells on the vessel.
The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years or both.