MMEA seizes three boats worth RM3mln

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained three Vietnamese fishing boats for illegal fishing in Malaysian waters.
Kuala Terengganu Maritime District 9 (DM9) deputy director Maritime Commander Suffi Mohd Ramli said the three boats were held between 12 noon and 1 pm on Thursday at three different locations about 49 to 51 nautical miles from Kuala Terengganu estuary.
"As usual, they attempted to flee after seeing our personnel but it was too late for them.
"MMEA also picked up 26 crew members including the skippers aged between 18 and 55. An inspection found only a handful possess identification documents but their authenticity was doubtful.
"All of them were remanded for further investigations under Section 15(1) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 6 (1c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he told reporters at DM9 office in Kuala Terengganu today.
The value of seizure including sea produce, boats, equipment and diesel amounted to about RM3 million. — Bernama