Joint Anti Smuggling Operation Conducted by Indian Coast Guard With Customs Division

Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam in a joint anti-smuggling operation with Customs Division, Ramanathapuram apprehended one Indian Fishing boat alongwith four crew (Indian) and 04 Sri Lankan fiber boat alongwith 08 crew (Sri Lankan), 27 KM southwest of Dhanuskodi in Gulf of Mannar on 23 October for involvement in smuggling of contrabands.

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 team during the early hours on 23 October. The apprehended crew and seized contrabands were handed over to the Customs department for further legal proceedings.

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.