SANDAKAN: The Sabah Marine Police Force (PPM) detained two fishing boats with 11 Vietnamese for encroaching into the waters off Pulau Lankayan, here, Thursday morning.
Its Commander ACP Ahmad Ariffin said all of them were detained along with several sea cucumber fishing equipment and sea cucumber products with the total seizure amounting to more than RM2.8 million.
“The 11 comprising Vietnamese captains and crew are aged between 10 and 49. Preliminary investigation showed all the suspects neither possess personal documents nor permit to fish in the country’s waters,” he said, Friday.
Ahmad said eight sets of equipment used to catch sea cucumbers and stolen sea cucumber products stored in several barrels were confiscated.
“The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM2,873,000 and the case is being investigated under Section 25(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for ship captains and Section 11(3)(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing equipment.
Investigations are also conducted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 because they do not have valid documents to enter the country.
Ahmad advised the community to channel information related to cross-border crimes to PPM Region Four Sabah at 013-9391197 or 089-221453.
