BY : HINDU

Evading strict surveillance by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, a Sri Lankan fibreglass boat managed to reach Ramanathapuram coast to smuggle beedis and other articles to that country, police said.

Two Sri Lankans, who brought the boat fitted with two high speed outboard engines and three Indians who helped them smuggle the contraband, were arrested, they said.

The boat was seized by Q Branch police after they followed a van to the Vangapuri coast near Uchipuli and found it offloading the items onto the boat.

Three bundles of beedis and some contraband articles were seized, officials said.

The Navy and Coast Guard have stepped up surveillance in the Palk Straits following recent incidents of firing on Indian fishermen and attempts by the LTTE to smuggle arms and ammunition through this sea route.