MIRI, June 18 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 26 Vietnamese nationals who were in two boats for illegal fishing in Malaysian territorial waters last Thursday.

Miri MMEA Operations deputy director Maritime Commander Mohd Hambali Yaakup said the foreigners , aged between 17 and 35, were picked up about 127 nautical miles off the mouth of Sungai Miri in an operation dubbed ‘Ops Permai’ about 11.18pm.

"Their total catch of 70 tonnes estimated to be worth RM500,000 has been seized. Checks revealed that the two fishing boats were bearing fake registration numbers,” he said in a statement here today.

The fishermen and the boats are taken to the Pulau Melayu Vessel Detention Centre here for further action. — Bernama