Coast Guard, DRI seize 23 tonnes red sanders

In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended two vessels and seized 23 tonnes of red sanders, an official statement said Friday.

Coast Guard ships ICGS Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and Achook apprehended two vessels involved in illegal activity at 72 miles south west of Mumbai, a defence ministry statement said.

Based on intelligence report by the DRI, the Coast Guards had been looking for the ships since two days, and apprehended them Thursday.

A consignment of red sanders or red sandalwood, which is banned under Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species, valued at around approximately Rs.9 crore was found and 20 people taken into custody.

"Barge MV Ganga Sagar had sailed from Mumbai with around 23 tons of red sanders wood for transhipment at sea to another vessel Al Marwan 10 which arrived from Veraval (Gujarat)," the statement said.

The consignment was planned to be smuggled into Dubai.

"DRI had provided unambiguous real time intelligence to Coast Guard two days back and since then the joint sea-air coordinated operation was undertaken by utilising two Coast Guard ships, Dornier aircraft and Chetak helicopter for continuous surveillance while maintaining the required level of secrecy," the statement said.

"The vessels were caught after a short hot pursuit and swift interception by the indigenously built high speed fast patrol vessels of Indian Coast Guard."

The coast guard ship Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and Achook are commanded by Commandant K.J. Singh and Lt. Commander Rahul Gautam respectively.