The Indonesian navy has reportedly detained six alleged pirates who were operating in waters around the Malacca Straits.
The group was suspected of plotting piracy attacks against tankers passing through the strategic waterway, reports The Jakarta Post.
The arrests are said to have came about following a tip-off from an informant with information about their criminal activities.
“The team followed it up by intercepting the group at sea,” a local navy commander is quoted as saying by the Indonesian daily.
“The team managed to detain the boat, which had the six suspects onboard. Of the six, three are known to have engaged in piracy.”
The naval official alleges that the six men admitted to “wanting to attack ships in Malaysian territory” during their interrogation.
The Jakarta Post said the six men have been identified including a man by the name of Udin Ali, who is said to have a history of piracy.
“He has a piracy record stretching back to 2012 and had been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in Tanjung Pinang prison for piracy,” the naval official is quoted as saying.
