Flagless dhow intercepted in Seychelles’ EEZ |08 October 2022

The Seychelles Defence Forces in a joint operation involving the Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Forces, intercepted a flagless dhow with eight crew members in the northeast of Mahé within the Seychelles exclusive economic zone.

The dhow was detected by Seychelles Air Force (SAF) surveillance aircraft during a routine surveillance patrol and intercepted in the early morning of October 7, 2022 by Patrol Ship ‘Etoile’.

During the process of interception and boarding, the crew of the dhow was seen to be dropping several packages overboard which is believed to be illegal substances. Two of these packages were recovered and will be handed over to the police for analysis to determine their content.

The dhow is being escorted back to Mahé for further investigation.

Press release from the Seychelles Defence Forces