The vessel's illegal presence in Indian waters led to its seizure
The arrested individuals have been identified as James Franklin, aged 50, Robin Stern, aged 50, and Dirose Alphonso, aged 38.
Mangaluru, Feb. 25: A foreign fishing boat from Oman was intercepted and seized near St. Mary’s Island by the Malpe Coastal Security Police (CSP) in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. Three Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu onboard the vessel were taken into custody.
Acting on specific intelligence, officials from Malpe CSP conducted an inspection in the waters near St. Mary’s Island on February 23. With the support of the Mangaluru Coast Guard, they intercepted a suspicious fishing boat and detained its crew. The seized vessel had reportedly set sail from Duqm Fishing Port in Oman on February 17 and entered Indian territorial waters via Karwar.
A joint inspection involving the Indian Coast Guard, CSP, Central Intelligence, Customs, Dog Squad, and Fingerprint Experts was carried out, but no suspicious materials were found on the boat.
According to a press statement, the vessel's illegal presence in Indian waters led to its seizure. The Indian Coast Guard’s Officer, Sukhwinder Singh, lodged a formal complaint, prompting the registration of a case at Malpe CSP Police Station under the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981, and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.
The arrested individuals have been identified as James Franklin, aged 50, Robin Stern, aged 50, and Dirose Alphonso, aged 38. They were presented before the court and remanded to judicial custody, while further investigations continue.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story