Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar. The MDirectorate General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) handed over on Monday (12/5/2025) the case of Chinese-flagged fishing vessel FV Yue Lu Yu 28359 to Bali Regional Police’s Water and Air Corps due to suspected human trafficking. 

The ship was intercepted in southern Bali’s territorial waters after violating Indonesia’s archipelagic sea lane.

“We concluded that the case is more suitable for police investigation because the vessel, although appearing as a fishing boat, had modified fish holds into sleeping quarters, suggesting human trafficking activity,” said PSDKP Director General Pung Nugroho Saksono, as quoted by antaranews.com..

No fish were found aboard, complicating prosecution under fisheries law. 

The Water and Air Police officers confirmed the ship’s cold storage areas had been turned into air-conditioned rooms with beds, enough for 20 people. The investigation will begin under maritime law violations due to lack of immigration documents among the crew, before potentially escalating to trafficking charges.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)