YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, July 9 (RIA Novosti) - Security officers have stopped a vessel flying the Cambodian flag with 7 metric tons of crab onboard off Sakhalin in the Russian Far East, a security service spokeswoman said on Thursday.

"The Nadzomi fishing vessel was stopped southeast of Sakhalin. Fishing equipment and some 7 metric tons of live crab caught without permission were found onboard," Maria Goncharova said.

The ship is registered in Phnom Penh and has a Russian crew. It is currently being escorted to the port of Korsakov on the eastern coast of Sakhalin.

The exact size of the illegal catch has yet to be established, and criminal charges could be brought against the crew.

Russia's border service is actively involved in tackling poachers in its territorial waters. Last year at least 20 boats, including many foreign vessels, were detained by Russian border guards.