Jan 9, 2007, 16:40 GMT
Kochi, Jan 9 (IANS) Customs officials Tuesday seized a huge quantity of rifles and air guns at the Cochin Port from a container arriving here from Dubai.
One person was detained for interrogation, officials said.
A detailed examination of the remaining containers would take place in the presence of top police and customs officials.
According to officials, the container - which arrived on Jan 4 - contains 810 packets in 37 cartons. What has surprised them is each of the packets also has a copy of the Quran, a Muslim religious book.
The container is now being kept at the Container Freight Station, which is owned by the brother of senior Inspector General of Police, Tomin J. Thachankary.
Speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuran, the state capital, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said he was aware of the seizure of arms in Kochi.
'This is a serious issue and I have asked the Additional Director General of Police (intelligence) Jacob Punnoose to immediately inquire into it and submit a report,' he said.
© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service
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