Indian police investigate suspected people smuggling to NZ

A fishing boat apparently left Munambam Harbour bound for New Zealand with hundreds of passengers on board. Photo / Getty

Police in southern India are investigating a suspected attempt to illegally transport more than 100 Indians by boat to New Zealand, an official said yesterday.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sojan in Kerala state said police were questioning people who failed to board the fishing boat, who said it left nine days ago for New Zealand.

Sojan, who uses one name, said police began investigating when they found dozens of abandoned bags containing dried fruits and "everything needed for a sea journey" near at Munambam harbour near Kochi in Kerala state.

"The boat is gone, that's for sure," he said by telephone.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was unable to comment on the alleged people-smuggling this morning.

Speaking to reporters this morning from London where she has been pushing New Zealand's case on trade, Ardern said she had not been briefed on the report that the boat carrying migrants was heading to New Zealand.

Police believe the fishing boat Deva Matha was so overcrowded that many people had to leave their luggage behind. Around 19 people failed ot board the boat on January 12. Sojan said it was unclear where the boat might be.

"We have not been able to trace the boat so far, no radio connection, no radar, nothing is coming out," Sojan said. "It was a fishing boat, not a passenger boat. The boat had been purchased just for this purpose."

He said no arrests had been made although the Indian Express newspaper claimed that Kerala police arrested a 29-year-old man who is connected to the three suspected kingpins.

The Indian Express newspaper said police recovered more than 50 abandoned bags near Kodungallur temple in Thrissur district and later found more bags at Munambam harbor in Kochi.

The newspaper said the bags — containing clothes, IDs and other documents — belonged to about 230 people. Sojan said it was unclear how many were on board, but "more than 100."

- AP