Three Sri Lankan boats carrying a large consignment of drugs were seized by the Indian Coast Guard off the Kerala coasts, reported Colombopage. A dozen people were also detained by them.

“200 kg of cocaine, 60 kg of hashish, and some equipment were seized from the boats registered in Sri Lanka. Details will be known only after questioning the detained people,” an Indian official was quoted as saying by Colombopage.

When the boats were encircled by the Coast Guard, they dumped a larger portion of consignment into the sea, said the reports. A total of 19 people were on board, seven out of them jumped into the sea. A search and rescue operation was launched to locate them with the assistance of wishing boats in the region, the official said.

Preliminary inquiries suggested the boats were bound to Karnataka and Goa coasts. All were later brought to Vizingam, Kerala.

Officials haven’t yet disclosed the market value of the seized drugs, more details would be released after the questioning of the detainees. Officials from the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies would also question them.