Malut Police Arrest 7 Crews Looking For Fish With Explosives

TERNATE - Ditpolairud Polda North Maluku (Malut) arrested seven crew members (ABK) in Taliabu Waters for fishing using explosives.

Head of Public Relations of North Maluku Police Kombes Michael Irwan Thamsil confirmed that Taliabu Island Unit Headquarters personnel and KP XXX-2008 personnel had secured the ship and seven crew members of Musda 02 Ship in Taliabu Waters.

"Initially, the patrol personnel were routine and received reports from the public regarding fishing using explosives carried out by fishermen from Bokang, Banggai Regency," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, May 27.

Subsequently, the personnel went to the location reported by the residents and found one boat carrying out fishing activities with explosives, so the personnel immediately fired warning shots.

However, the captain did not heed the warning and immediately fled to the waters of Banggai Island.

"Personnel immediately chased the perpetrator for approximately 2 hours and managed to incapacitate one crew member by shooting the left thigh, only then did the engine of Musda 02 ship shut off and the crew came out onto the deck," he said.

From these arrests, personnel secured one ship, 1 ton of fish, one bottle of bottle bomb and one bomb using a 5 liter gallon. The crew of the ship were then taken to the Directorate of Polairud Polda North Maluku for investigation.

The Head of Public Relations appealed to the people of North Maluku to preserve nature by catching fish according to the rules, not using explosives that could damage habitat.

"If you see or find activities that can endanger the habitat and violate the rules, immediately report it to the nearest police force for immediate action," he said.