TAWAU: Two seaweed cultivators were arrested with 22 foreign workers whom they had allegedly hired illegally during “Ops Gelora” in waters near Pulau Sidam, off here, Sunday.
Marine Police Force’s (PPM) Zone 4 Commander ACP Mohamad Pajeri Ali said they were aged between 22 and 52.
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“Our inspection showed the cultivators had violated conditions of their licences issued by the Fisheries Department by employing illegal foreign nationals.
“All of their employees do not have any identification documents,” Pajeri said.
The PPM also seized six wooden boats, six outboard engines and 750 kilogrammes of seaweed worth RM65,250.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
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Meanwhile, during “Ops Gelora Khas” at Sungai Melayu on Saturday, a man and three women were arrested for having no legal documents and expired passports.
Pajeri said the detainees, aged between 24 and 51, were picked up by a PPM boat during a patrol to Sungai Melayu from the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine jetty.
The PPM also detained a 50-year-old boat skipper on suspicion of trafficking the four and seized a fibreglass speedboat as well as an 85hp outboard engine.
The case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 2007 (Amendment 2010). - Lagatah Toyos
