Asia/Pacific News
Thai, Vietnam Vessels and Crew Detained for Fuel Smuggling
Authorities in Vietnam say a Thai vessel carrying about 130,000 litres of diesel was seized by marine police as the fuel was being moved onto another boat, local media reports.
The police intercepted the vessel on September 26 in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone while 11 crew members were transferring the diesel to a Vietnamese boat.
The Thai captain failed to produce legal documents for the fuel, and the vessels and crew were transported to Phu Quoc Island for investigation.
The incident follows the crew of two Thai boats in July caught by Vietnamese coast guards smuggling fuel to two Vietnamese fishing boats southwest of Phu Quoc Island.
Earlier this year, four fishing boats of Vietnamese origin were amongst six vessels seized by Malaysian authorities with 140,000 litres of illegally purchased diesel in their possession.
