MADURAI: Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam in a joint anti-smuggling operation with Customs Division, Ramanathapuram apprehended a fishing boat along with four crew (Indians) and four Sri Lankan fiber boats along with eight crew (Sri Lankans) at 27 kilometres southwest of Dhanuskodi in Gulf of Mannar (GoM) on Monday for involvement in smuggling of contrabands, a statement said.

Based on an intelligence input, the joint team of Coast Guard and Customs undertook the anti-smuggling operation in Gulf of Mannar and seized 330 kg of sea cucumber and 594 kg of raw turmeric which was being exchanged between the smuggling team during the early hours on Monday.

The apprehended crew and seized contrabands were handed over to the customs department for further legal proceedings.