Illegal migrants nabbed in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: Immigration officers detained eight Iraqi nationals who entered Maluku illegally, an official said on Wednesday.

The head of the Ambon Immigration Office, Kapitan Bangun, said the eight were arrested by the South Tanimbar Police in West Maluku Tenggara in mid-April.

During preliminary questioning, the eight said they planned to travel on to Australia. Kapitan said none of the detainees possessed documents.

He said the eight claimed to have stayed in Kaimana, Irian Jaya, for several weeks before traveling to Maluku.

"When arrested, the eight people, traveling on a boat, were making a stop at Adaut village in South Tanimbar district to buy food and other supplies for their journey to Australia." (49)