Chennai:The Tamil Nadu police have arrested 35 crew members of an American ship detained almost a week ago for illegally entering Indian waters with a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

The MV Seaman Guard Ohio owned by US maritime security company AdvanFort was intercepted by the Coast Guard east of Tuticorin on Saturday.

Its crew includes eight Indians, besides British, Estonian and Ukranian nationals. Sources say there are no Americans on the ship.

An official statement issued by police headquarters in Chennai stated a case for offences under Arms Act 1959, Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Prevention of malpractices in supply and distribution order 1990 has been registered against the crew.

The investigation by the “Q” Branch police of the state’s specialised wing in the last two days has revealed that the vessel was found in the country’s territorial waters and was in possession of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, without valid authorisation of documents, police said.

Police said the two crew members have been permitted to stay on board the vessel to carry out maintenance of the ship till further arrangements were made and they would also be arrested.

The Q Branch CID police have seized 35 arms and about 5,680 rounds of ammunition from the vessel, which was detained off Tuticorin coast on October 12.

Tamil Nadu Police registered an FIR against the crew members on October 14.
The crew face allegations of procuring 1,500 litres of diesel through illegal route, are likely to be brought to Chennai.