CHENNAI: Coast Guard officials nabbed 11 Iran nationals mid-sea on Saturday. Since the men are suspected to be drug smugglers, they have been handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau.
Sources said Coast Guard officials intercepted a boat near Indira Point near Andaman and Nicobar Islands two weeks ago. The 11 men in the boat were Iranian nationals, who NCB suspect to be drug smugglers and that they might have thrown the drugs into the sea on noticing the approaching Coast Guard boats.
The seized boat was towed to the fishing harbour in Kasimedu on Saturday morning and officials from NCB, customs and other departments inspected it and conducted inquiries with the 11 men. The NCB officials examined the boat but didn't find anything. The suspects have been taken to the NCB's Chennai office for further inquiries.
A defence official said Coast Guard apprehended the boat after they found them to be engaged in suspicious activity and as there was no convincing answer about their presence.
