They were allegedly carrying narcotics, unauthorised communication equipment. Three Sri Lankan boats — Akarsha Duwa, Chathu Rani 03 and Chathu Rani 08 — that were allegedly carrying unauthorised telecommunication equipment and narcotics were seized by the Indian Coast Guard and brought to the Vizhinjam harbour in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The boats, carrying 19 crew members, were intercepted by the Coast Guard ship Varaha seven nautical miles south-south west off Minicoy in Indian territorial waters on March 5, according to the Defence public relations office in Thiruvananthapuram. An official release said the skipper of Akarsha Duwa contacted its ‘main operator,’ identified as Sanjay Anna, using a Thuraya communication set, on noticing the Coast Guard ship. On being brought to the Vizhinjam harbour, the boats were handed over to security agencies for detailed investigation.

Source: The Hindu March 07, 2021 14:57 UTC