Date:23/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082360460800.htm

Tamil Nadu

$1.17 lakh seized from ship

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized $1.17 lakh concealed in a cavity of a ship anchored off the Kakinada Port in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday and arrested three Indonesian nationals, including the master of the vessel.

An official release stated that the authorities searched the vessel ready for departure to Singapore.

Investigations revealed that the crew of Indonesian origin were selling diesel at half price to local fishermen, who were asked to pay in dollars.

Illegal transaction

The illegal transaction was taking place for a few months. The amount collected had not been declared to the Customs.

Judicial custody

The vessel, along with a barge, totally valued at Rs.10.21 crore, was seized. The Indonesian nationals were produced before the Special Judge for Economic Offences at Nampally in Hyderabad on Thursday and remanded to judicial custody.