The boat on which five men were arrested on Saturday October 11 for suspicion of turtle poaching has been placed into the custody of the Supreme Court.

The Galate, a schooner-like vessel that was commandeered by a police and coast guard task force near Denis Island early Saturday morning, will remain at the Coast Guard quay, but will not be released to the vessel’s owner until special arrangements are made for the boat’s security.

The boat’s seizure came at the request of Ronny Govinden, representing the Republic.  The prosecution also requested that certain equipment on the boat be removed for safekeeping.

Police found an estimated 102 kilograms of turtle meat on the Galate during Saturday’s operation.

The alleged poachers face two criminal counts resulting from the Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act.  The first count is for the illegal killing of turtles, while the second count is for the illegal possession of turtle meat.

The five men will appear again before the court on November 7, when their pleas are expected to be heard.

Although a report in Tuesday’s Nation  (October 14) claimed that a sixth had been added to the list of the accused, there are only five who have been charged.  The owner of the boat has not been charged with any wrongdoing in the case.

LINKS