Paradip, Dec 9: The Customs department on Saturday recruited two Vietnam-based interpreters to help investigate into the seizure of cocaine worth Rs 220 crore from a cargo, anchored at Odisha’s Paradip port.
The interpreters have been hired from Vietnam to help in the interrogation of the crew members who are said to be the Vietnam nationals. They will ensure proper interrogation of the 22 crew members in their language.
It may be noted here that Customs officials probing the seizure of the huge cache of cocaine, from the Denmark-bound cargo ship on December 1 were in trouble as the investigators found it tough to elicit vital international drug cartel links in the case because of the language barrier.
They are not well-versed in any other language including English. That’s why the Customs officials have sought the services of interpreters, who could speak and understand the spoken language of the detained crew members, sources said.
A cache of 22 kg of cocaine valued at around Rs. 220 crore in the international grey market was recovered from the Denmark-bound cargo ship.