[15/March/2010]

HADRAMOUT, March 15 (Saba) – An Iranian ship has been arrested by the Coastguard off Yemen's eastern coast with the authorities saying it might be involved in drugs trade.

Fishermen in south Hodaibo Island in Socotra Archipelago alerted marines about the ship which was seized in Yemen's territorial waters in cooperation with international anti-piracy troops off Hadramout province.

16 crew members, 15 Pakistanis and the Iranian owner, were aboard it and turned over to interrogators, according to the Interior Ministry.

The authorities did not rule out that the ship was involved in drugs trade and.

The ministry also noted that the authorities will inspect the ship later after it entered Yemen's waters illegally.

MD/FR
Saba