KEMAMAN: Twenty three Vietnamese were detained on two vessels for illegally fishing in the waters off Terengganu and Pahang, in two separate incidents, early today.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Eastern region director Capt Khoo Teng Chuan said seven Vietnamese fishermen were detained in the first incident near the waters off the Pahang-Terengganu border, at 5.30am.
"They were detained during Ops Perkasa Timur and Ops Marikh at 5.30am, about two hours after they were first spotted by the agency's patrol craft.
"The foreign vessel scampered off hurriedly when approached but MMEA gave chase for about 10 nautical miles before being apprehended," said Khoo.
He added the culprits did not possess any travel documents.
The MMEA officers seized 300kg of fish and squid, while the seven Vietnamese were brought to shore for further action, he said.
In the second incident, the MMEA detained another foreign fishing boat with 16 Vietnamese attempting to smuggle 150kg of squid, six nautical miles off Tok Bali in Pasir Puteh at 9.10am.
Both vessels were believed to be on their way back to Vietnam with their catch.