The Navy arrested 12 Indian nationals with 2.79 metric tonnes of dried turmeric, 803kg of cardamom, and several other consumer goods on the Northwestern waters of the island on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Two Indian dhows were also seized in the raids, the Navy stated in a communiqué, yesterday. The arrests were made by Naval personnel patrolling the seas off Kudiramalei Point.
The first dhow was intercepted on Tuesday and 425kg of cardamom was found in 1kg packages, along with several other goods.
Seven Indian nationals were arrested, the statement said.
On Wednesday, the Navy intercepted another Indian dhow with 2.79 metric tonnes of dried turmeric in 93 sacks and 378kg of cardamom in 16 sacks.
Five Indian nationals aboard the dhow were arrested. It is suspected that in both cases, the contraband was to be transferred to a local fishing vessel, mid-sea, the Navy added.
The 12 Indian nationals were repatriated to India along with their dhows due to concerns regarding the pandemic, the press release said.
