Indian police arrest 2 more men from US ship detained for carrying arms

Indian police have arrested two more people onboard the American ship Seaman Guard Ohio, detained in the southern Indian city of Chennai after being found carrying arms, said police on Saturday. The two men were previously allowed to remain in the ship for upkeep and maintenance. Meanwhile, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi has approached the police for consular access to six Britons who were among the 33 people arrested Friday by Indian police. Three locals have also been taken into custody for illegally supplying diesel to the ship, said police. Police seized 35 weapons and 5,680 rounds of ammunition from the vessel, which was detained earlier at Tuticorin port at the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A local judge who ordered the arrest ordered police to produce the arrested personnel in the court on Oct. 31. Investigation by authorities said the vessel was found in Indian territorial waters and had a huge quantity of arms and ammunition on board without valid authorization or documents. The ship had illegally drawn 1,500 litres of diesel from private sources without following procedure.