The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it is on the hunt for 12 Indonesian suspects, all former crew of the Cook Islands registered oil tanker Ocean Pride, to assist in investigations.
T he development reportedly relates to a case of missing oil cargo worth RM 4.86 million (USD 1.15 million) which disappeared from the tanker on 5 October, said Johor Malaysian Maritime Director, First Maritime Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria.
He shared the vessel was on the way from Singapore to Dili, East Timor with the 12 Indonesian crew when MMEA received an alert of attempted robbery at a position 23.6 nautical miles east, Tanjung Siang, Johor at 1pm.
“An inspection by Malaysian Maritime assets at the location found the ship was left without a crew, and an estimated 1,800,305 litres of diesel cargo equivalent to RM 4,860,823.50 had also been stolen from the ship,” …he said in a Wednesday statement.
“The suspects are to assist in the investigation of the MT Ocean Pride tanker robbery case which is being probed under Section 380m and Section 34 of the Penal Code (Act 574),” he stated.
“Any party who has information or knows the nominee, is requested to contact Commander (M) Mohd Affandi Ismail (03-89957935) at the Maritime Criminal Investigation Division, Malaysian Maritime Headquarters, Putrajaya, or Lieutenant (M) Mohd Feerdaus Daud (Investigator Officer 07-8916595) at the Maritime Criminal Investigation Division, Johor Malaysian Maritime Headquarters, or to the nearest Malaysian Maritime office.”
A Red Notice has been issued by the International Police (INTERPOL) regarding the case.
Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
