Banned satellite phone seized from ship crew

A type satellite phone banned in India was seized from a crew member of an Ukraine ship MV Dardinol by customs officials here as the device was not disclosed in the declaration during the vessel's arrival, official sources said today.
According to Customs rules, including Import Manifest (Vessels) Regulations, a ship on arrival must declare details of property onboard including those related to satellite phones in the "Pre Arrival Notification on Security" (PANS) to the port authorities.
The "Thuraya" device was seized when the vessel arrived yesterday.
The use of satelite phones is highly regulated in India and use of phones like "Thuraya" is specifically banned. Recently, a satellite phone was seized from a crew member of a Panama vessel, M V Norka.