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