MYEIK-  A boat with 173 Bengalis onboard, reportedly heading to Malaysia, was seized in Kawthaung, Taninthari Region, on the morning of December 15th by the Navy.

“A boat departed from Myeik Township on November 27th. It waited at 8-mile south of St. Martin’s Island in Bangladesh. Human traffickers ferried Bengalis from the refugee camp in Bangladesh by boats about three times now. A Bangladeshi called Ahmart attempted sending them to Malaysia via Myanmar on December 4th , 6th and 10th. However, they were arrested,” said Col. Thant Zin Oo from Coastal Region Command.

The arrested Bengalis are now being detained in a camp near Zardetngi Island while officials continue to investigate the detainees.