Pahang: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) of Pahang has detained a foreign fishing vessel suspected of illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters. The vessel, along with 18 Vietnamese crew members aged between 21 and 55, was intercepted and detained northeast of Pelabuhan Kuantan under several operations, including Op Makmur, Op Naga, Op Iman, Op Tiris, and Op Pelantar Merah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, First Admiral Mazlan Mat Rejab, the director of MMEA Pahang, revealed that the vessel was seized with one tonne of marine produce, valued at over RM6 million. The crew members were transported to the Kemaman Maritime Zone Jetty and turned over to MMEA's investigating officers.

The case is currently under investigation pursuant to Section 15(1) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for unauthorized fishing in Malaysian waters, as well as under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for illegal entry into the country's waters.

Additionally, in a separate operation in the Kuala Kuantan waters, 1,050 untaxed white cigarettes of various brands were seized, valued at over RM17,000. This seizure took place during an enforcement operation when a Class C2 local fishing vessel, behaving suspiciously, was detected. The vessel was manned by 18 crew members, including a tekong, two Thai members, and 15 Cambodian members, aged between 26 and 61.

The suspects, along with the vessel and seized items, were sent to the Pernepa Kuantan Slipway Jetty and handed over to MMEA investigators. This case is also being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63 for unauthorized entry into Malaysian waters.