Chinese boats seized in Maluku

Chinese boats seized in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: A senior naval officer announced on Friday the
Navy had seized two fishing boats from China and an Indonesian
boat carrying illegal logs in the waters of Maluku.

The ships were seized on Sunday and Wednesday near Arafura
after it was found they did not have the necessary documents,
said the chief of the naval base in Ambon, First Adm. Bambang
Supeno.

Dozens of crew members, most Chinese nationals, are being held
at the base for legal processing, Bambang said.

Since January, the Navy has seized some 50 boats carrying
illegal logs or fishing illegally in the waters of Maluku.

Bambang said crew members from about 30 of the seized boats
were facing prosecution. -- JP