Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Apr 9: In a major operation, the coast guard officials from here raided a Sri Lankan vessel about 188 nautical miles off the coast and arrested 16 persons for illegally entering the Indian exclusive economic zone and catching sea cucumbers.
Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday April 9, coast guard DIG Rajamani Mishra said that on April 6, the official of Mumbai coast guard had passed information to the coast guard here that a vessel had illegally entered the Indian exclusive economic zone.
Acting on the information, the coast guard officials took the patrol ship Rajdoot and set off to hunt down the Sri Lankan vessel.
The Sri Lankan vessel 'Colombo Marine' was spotted near Cheriyapani close to Lakshadweep the next day at around 11 am. However, the Rajdoot ship could not enter the area due to presence of coral reef, and hence they borrowed a boat from a fisherman near northern Lakshadweep. Five officials armed with weapons boarded the boat and proceeded towards the spot where the Sri Lankan vessel was anchored.
The coast guard officials raided the 'Colombo Marine' and arrested 16 persons on board, and also found two tons of sea cucumber. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, it is illegal to catch sea cucumbers. Out of the two tons seized, 500 kg of sea cucumber was already dried.
The total worth of the sea cucumbers seized from vessel is estimated at 1.2 lac dollars.
The officials also found 16 cooking gas cylinders, 10 diving equipment and high frequency wireless equipment on board.
The arrested persons were brought to Mangalore on Tuesday April 8 and jailed. Further investigation is in progress.
Rajdoot commander Anupam Rai was present at the press meet.