Coast Guard nabs Myanmarese poachers

Port Blair, Jan 30 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard (CG) today apprehended 14 Myanmarese poachers in joint sea and air operations off the Invisible Bank of the Andaman Islands.

Speaking to UNI here, CG Public Relations Officer Commandant Akshay Jain said, ''A CG Dornier, while on routine surveillance sortie, sighted a suspicious boat and passed the information to CG ship Gangadevi, patrolling in the northern group of the islands.'' On seeing the CG vessel, the poachers tried to flee. However, after about half an hour of hot chase, the ship overpowered the poachers' vessel, Mr Jain added.

About 300 kg of sea cucumbers and sea shells with other equipments were seized from the poachers' possession.

Later, the Myanmarese poachers and their dinghy were handed over to the Andaman and Nicobar police for further legal action, Mr Jain added.

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