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CID investigates boat-people almost reaching Australia evading Naval patrols
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has begun an investigation into how 37 boat-people including children, sailed to Australia, evading Naval patrols on the lookout for people smugglers.
CID Sleuths are on the lookout for the organizers of the illegal voyage, who have reportedly fled the area sources said. The 37 asylum seekers were produced before the Chilaw Magistrate and remanded till December 9, pending further investigations.
The boat carrying the illegal immigrants was recently intercepted by the Australian coastguard in international waters close to Indonesia, while heading in the direction of Australia, a senior police officer said.
He said the boat had sailed from Chilaw on November 1. Last month, another boat carrying illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka, was intercepted and handed over to the CID for further investigations.