Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 February 2025
In a major crackdown on illegal poaching, the Indian Navy apprehended a Myanmarese fishing boat with 10 foreign nationals engaged in the illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers near Barren Island, approximately 262 km east of Port Blair. The operation, carried out by a naval ship, led to the seizure of around 600 kilograms of sea cucumbers, along with large storage tanks, rations, and other fishing equipment.
According to an FIR registered by the Crime and Economic Offences Police Station, the detained individuals were all Myanmar nationals who illegally entered Indian waters on January 26, 2025, and engaged in poaching activities for nearly two weeks before being intercepted on February 13, 2025.
On February 13, 2025, while conducting a surveillance operation, the Navy spotted a suspicious Myanmarese fishing vessel anchored off Barren Island. The navy initially ordered the boat to leave Indian waters, but the crew did not comply. Further investigation revealed that several individuals from the vessel had disembarked onto the beach.
After the crew boarded back, the vessel attempted to move away but stopped drifting a short distance away. The Navy’s boarding team, suspecting illegal activity, proceeded to board and search the vessel.
Upon a thorough inspection, the naval personnel discovered four 200-litre drums filled with sea cucumbers, a marine species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The 10 crew members were identified as Myanmarese nationals, deliberately engaged in illegal poaching within India’s territory.
A joint interrogation conducted on February 15, 2025, revealed crucial details about the Myanmarese poachers’ operation:
- The crew members were all employees of Mr. Ko Kyi Naing, resident of Labutta, Myanmar.
- Their employer had arranged the fishing boat (dinghy) and provided an advance payment of 10,00,000 kyats (Myanmar currency) to the boat’s master, Saw Myo Win, and 4,00,000 kyats to each of the 10 crew members.
- They were supplied with 200 kg of rice, spices, 1,000 litres of diesel, compressors, 200 kg of salt, a compass, and other essential provisions for a long voyage.
- The poachers departed from Labutta, Myanmar, on January 24, 2025, at 0400 Hrs, and after making stops at Preparis Island and Little Coco Island (both in Myanmar), they illegally entered Indian waters on January 26, 2025..
Between January 26 and February 6, 2025, the poachers operated near West Island, Middle Andaman, where they illegally harvested sea cucumbers.
- They carried out poaching activities at night and hid in the jungle along the shoreline during the day to evade detection.
- After successfully collecting 600 kg of sea cucumbers, they planned to return to Myanmar on February 7, 2025.
However, their plan to return was disrupted when their boat developed a technical snag. Despite multiple attempts, they failed to repair the engine and started drifting in the open sea for nearly five to six days.
- On February 13, 2025, at around 04:00 hours, their boat drifted near Barren Island.
- It was at this point that the Indian Navy spotted their vessel, leading to their apprehension.
The 10 arrested poachers have been identified as:
- Saw Myo Win (39 years), son of Hla Din, Labutta, Myanmar
- Saw War Gay (29 years), son of Nar Kway, Naputow, Myanmar
- Min That @ Me Thai (32 years), son of U Kyi Naing, Labutta, Myanmar
- Aung Zaw Htay (16 years), son of U Mint Aung, Labutta, Myanmar
- Wai Lin Oo (36 years), son of U Myat Oo, Waidowe, Myanmar
- Than Oo (55 years), son of U San Myint, Labutta, Myanmar
- Soe Yan Naing (21 years), son of U Chit Ko, Labutta, Myanmar
- Saw Lwal Mue (32 years), son of Saw Great, Shwe Thaung Yan, Myanmar
- Saw Yo Shee Yay (25 years), son of Saw Satarklo, Shwe Thaung Yan, Myanmar
- Saw Pway Htoo (44 years), son of Saw Shee Moe, Shwe Thaung Yan, Myanmar
One additional suspect, Saw Kha Htoo, who had disembarked at Barren Island, remains absconding.
Based on the findings, the Indian authorities have booked the poachers under multiple sections of the law:
- The Foreigners Act, 1946 (Sections 14 and 14A) – for illegal entry into Indian waters.
- The Foreigners (Prohibited Areas) Order, 1963 (Section 3) – for unauthorized presence in restricted zones.
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Sections 50 and 51) – for poaching protected marine species.
The arrested poachers have been handed over to the Crime and Economic Offences Police Station.
This incident is yet another example of illegal poaching in Indian waters by foreign nationals, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sea cucumbers, which play a vital role in maintaining marine ecosystems, are in high demand in Southeast Asia for their value in the seafood and medicinal markets. Indian waters, especially around Andaman and Nicobar, remain a prime target for illegal poachers from Myanmar.