GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency seized four packets, believed to contain drugs worth RM120,000, which were packed into Chinese tea packaging and found floating at sea past midnight yesterday.
Its director, Captain Maritime Razali Kasim, said the items were found about 2.5 nautical miles west of Muka Head.
Razali said the agency's patrol boat was carrying routine enforcement checks in the waters of Penang when they received a tip-off on possible drug smuggling activities in the area at 12.40am.
"The team went to the scene and found a boat in a suspicious manner, with several items thrown into the sea.
"We conducted checks and found them to contain crystal-like substance, believed to be drugs. However, the boat managed to escape and disappeared from the radar.
"We seized the four packages for further investigation," he said tonight.
Razali said the drugs could cater to the needs of some 18,000 addicts, if found their way into the market.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 for trafficking drugs.
"Maritime Malaysia hopes the dissemination of such information will continue in our fight against the drug menace," he added.