Coast Guard detains ship, 35 arrested for carrying weapons

“This is illegal. If needed, diesel could have been procured through legitimate avenues by paying applicable statutory levies. Illegal diesel procurement is among the reasons for the ship coming into our adverse notice,” the official said.

The armed guards have been booked under Arms Act for illegally possessing arms and ammunition on board the ship, he said, adding, “They will continue to be interrogated on board the vessel.”

The vessel, whose crew included eight Indians, was intercepted and detained by the Indian Coast Guard about 15 nautical miles east of Tuticorin