NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, OCT 24
In a joint anti-smuggling operation, the Customs and Indian Coast Guard apprehended an Indian Fishing boat along with four crew (Indian) and 4 Sri Lankan fiber boat along with 8 crew (Sri Lankan), 27 km southwest of Dhanushkodi in Gulf of Mannar on October 23 for involvement in smuggling activities.
Based on an intelligence input, the joint team of Coast Guard and Customs undertook the anti-smuggling operation in Gulf of Manner and seized 330 Kg Sea Cucumber and 594 kg raw Turmeric which was being exchanged between the smuggling teams during the early hours on 23 October.
The apprehended crew and seized contrabands were handed over to the Customs department for further legal proceedings, says a release.
The Sea Cucumbers are prohibited species as per schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection act 1972. Illegal transaction of Turmeric and other commodities across the IMBL is an offence under Customs Act, 1962.
