Maldivian ship smuggling sand from TN impounded at Karaikal

Porayar (TN): 'Asian Express', a Maldivian cargo ship, was impounded at Karaikal port by district authorities at Nagapattinam on the charge that it attempted to smuggle about 3,000 tonnes of sand to the Maldives. Collectorate officials said the ship had been anchored at Karaikal port since June 27 and sand from Kollidam area in Nagapattinam district was reportedly smuggled to Karaikal and loaded on the ship. Acting on a tip off, Nagapattinam collector along with Mayiladuthurai Sub-Collector, Customs officials and the Karaikal Collector inspected the ship at the port and found over 3,000 tonnes of sand inside. Tamil Nadu government bans inter-state transit of sand, but there was no such law in Puducherry Union Territory, of which Karaikal is a part, they said. However, the ship was impounded as the sand had been smuggled from Kollidam in Tamil Nadu and the seized material was likely to be auctioned in open market by the government at Nagapattinam soon, they added. Sources said that the smuggled sand could have been sold at three times the prices it was purchased for in Maldives. Regarding a case being registered in this regard, officials said that it was unlike that any offence would be registered against the ship owners but action could be taken against those who loaded sand from Tamil Nadu's territory.