Posted on 10/21/2013 5:42:57 PM PDT by traumer
Six Britons have been arrested in India after their ship sailed into the country’s waters allegedly carrying a huge cache of illegal weapons.
The men – some of whom are believed to be ex-SAS – were among the crew of MV Seaman Guard Ohio which Indian officials branded a ‘floating armoury’.
Police said they seized 35 assault rifles and nearly 5,700 rounds of ammunition from guards on the U.S.-owned vessel.
The Indian coast guard stopped the ship, which belongs to security firm AdvanFort, on Saturday and detained 33 crew members.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Straight to Syria
Straight to Syria
EXCESSIVE?
“35 assault rifles and nearly 5,700 rounds of ammunition “
that’s a decent stock of an average prepper....
Eric?
35 rifles and 5700 rounds of ammunition is hardly a huge cache.
"Huge cache".
Snort.
Not much ammo to start anything, but it’d be OK for fam fire, I guess.
Were two of their names Carnahan and Dravot?
a CIA black-op ?
I’d say the owners are taking precautions against Somali pirates. Ex-SAS, 35 rifles and 5,700 rounds doesn’t sound like smuggling.
Are the Indians freaking serious? I bet it took them all of 2 minutes to collect all this 'contraband' and haul if off the ship.
Sounds like they may have just been concerned about protecting sea traffic from Somali pirates.
India is big on disarmament. Those Muslim attacks on hotels in India were so successful because most Indian police are not armed.
Maybe, but kind of an odd one. That would equip a platoon, barely, with 160 rounds per weapon. Not exactly a war load, maybe a small terrorist operation, maybe for trade for something else. Drugs? Information? Your guess is as good as mine.
Sounds like a rather paltry effort at self defense against piracy.
On their way to Kafiristan?
Barely enough for a trip to the range.
I wouldn’t sail within a 1000 miles of that region without at least twice the amount of ammo. I will reserve judgment on the adequacy of the 35 rifles pending a more detailed breakdown of the inventory.
Prudent anti-piracy precautions?
Many countries do not allow weapons aboard commercial vessels entering port. If the Master were to fail to declare any on board weapons to the Harbor Master, the vessel and cargo could be seized. Security companies providing on board anti piracy protection for these commercial vessels must have a support ship that keeps the weapons and other keep equipment in International Waters, beyond the reach of authorities. They must make port only at countries that will permit it, or with the right bribe, look the other way.
It sounds like this was a vessel in distress due to storms and needed a safe haven. The Indian authorities knew that weapons were on board and probably granted them permission to enter Indian waters for the purposes of arresting them and their vessel.
One hopes that unarmed and unprotected Indian merchantmen are paying the proper surcharge to their maritime insurance premium, they are probably prime targets for pirates.
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