Navy intercepts illegal loggers

JAKARTA: Naval officers intercepted on Thursday two Indonesian ships carrying illegal logs in the Aru Sea, Southeast Maluku.

The crew of the KRI Sutanto patrol boat confiscated 1,268 logs aboard the Fitria Perdana and Semangat Lestari, which were leaving Indonesian waters without proper documents.

"The vessels were carrying the logs without permits from the Ambon seaport authority or any other documents required for exportation," Navy spokesman Col. Alex Subiyanto said.

The Navy has intensified patrols of Indonesian waters to curb illegal logging, smuggling, fish poaching and other transnational crimes.

Dozens of vessels have been confiscated or sunk over the past year in connection with the crimes. -- Antara