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MBON: PT Pusaka Benjina Resources (PBR), one of the largest fishing firms in eastern Indonesia, has been accused of employing hundreds of illegal workers from Thailand.

Ambon Immigration Office head Erzan Effendy threatened Saturday to deport them on charges of falsifying their citizenship documents.

At least 500 foreigners have since 2007 been working for PBR, which operates out of Benjina in Aru Islands regency, Maluku.

Erzan said the workers were not Thai nationals, but had come into the country on Thai-issued immigration documents. He added there was likely an element of people smuggling at play in the case.

"I've just received the report on this case," he added.