Bhavnagar: The Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a ship prohibited by US and EU named Ship Harriet from Alang Ship Breaking Yard after it was found that the ship was sold after changing its original name and IMO number.

The ship was originally named Ship Melody and its IMO number was 8800298 and it supplied Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Gas oil to Baniyas port in Syria from Romano port in Albania. USA and EU had prohibited it under the rules of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and kept watch on it with satellite. Meanwhile the name of the ship was changed to Ship Harriet and IMO number was changed to 8716514. It was sold to plot no 114- Rajendra Shipbreakers Private Limited through a cash buyer. The ship had reached the agency of Agent Lotus den Pvt ltd on 9th December. The boarding was done by the customs department on 10th December and GPCB undertook a desk-review on 11th December. The team of DRI Jamnagar reached the ship on 12th December after receiving the information. The ship was seized after a 30-hour investigation, inquiry of the ship captain, and checking of available documents.

The investigation of other two ships named Sea Golden and Coral Ship is also undertaken by the preventive team of the customs department and DRI after seizing the Ship Harriet by DRI.