Three Sri Lankan fishing boats were intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard off Lakshadweep the other day for suspicious activities in Indian territorial waters.
The boats were suspected to be involved in smuggling narcotic drugs received from a Pakistan boat. The 19 crew members in the boats were kept in custody and investigation by various central agencies was underway. The incident occurred on March 5.
According to an official statement, the crew members of one of the boats confessed that 200 kg heroine and 60 kg hashish were received from a Pakistan boat. Those were dumped in the sea when the Indian Coast Guard patrol team was spotted. An unauthorised communication equipment in the boat was also dumped in the sea.
The boats were brought to Vizhinjam harbour on Sunday for rummaging and detailed joint interrogation by concerned security agencies. The intercepted boats were Akarsha Duwa, Chathu Rani and Chathu Rani 08.
Published 07 March 2021, 17:23 IST