Foreign seamen seized for smuggling

Foreign seamen seized for smuggling

BATAM, Riau: At least 21 crew members, including four foreigners, were under intensive interrogation on Sunday after the Navy seized their ship in Riau waters for an alleged smuggling attempt of antiques.

The Navy's Western Fleet seized the SV Kalpindo I on Saturday, which is owned by Jakarta-based company PT BLK with a branch office in Batam. The ship, which was found carrying ancient Chinese ceramics and cups as contraband goods was still being examined.

The treasures, believed to have been found in local waters, were packed in four boxes when the patrol caught the vessel in the Karang Heluputan sea zone, 23 miles from North Bintan in the Riau archipelago.

Three of the 21 seamen taken into custody were Singaporean citizens and another was a Malaysian, none of whom possessed sailing permits, immigration documents or passports.

According to naval sources, Riau's waters have for a long time become a target of adventure by treasure hunters who seek out ship wrecks containing Chinese antiques from the 17th and 18th centuries. --Antara