01.12.2009
Source:
Russian FSB officers, transport police and Pacific Fleet (PF) marines have conducted arrest operation of civil vessel and its crew which was supposedly stealing undersea military communication cable, said representative of PF Information and Public Relations Service to RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
The operation has been prepared thoroughly and secretly. Suspects were arrested last Sunday, although that has been promulgated only today.
"Sunday noon PF operational duty officer obtained information that in the central part of Ussuri Gulf near Vladivostok the vessel had been detected which crew was supposedly stealing undersea communication cable containing nonferrous metal. According to reports of observation points, that vessel was staying right over the fleet's comm line for suspiciously long time", said the interviewee.
According to the source, the suspects were sprung surprise. When they were dragging up the fleet's cable, policemen and marine unit blocked off escape ways on sea transport. A fast-speed guided missile boat with marines aboard at top speed headed for the vessel of supposed snatchers.
"Having noticed rapid combat boat, sea "metalists" importunately raised anchor and laid a course for Podiapolsky Harbor. Via comm channels missile boat demanded violators to stop many times, although they were irresponsive. Only after warning flare launch persecuted boat hove-to. Five men were on board", specified the interviewee.
He added that during examination of the vessel, among absolutely dry fishing nets policemen had found anything but fishing accessories - they were used for catching undersea cable. The main evidence was also found – patches of cable braid and a piece of KPK 5 x 18 special undersea cable with fresh cuts of copper wires, said representative of PF Information and Public Relations Service.
"After examination of the vessel detainees were delivered to Maly Uliss Harbor where they were met by officers of FSB and Maritime Procuracy. Then apprehended persons were handed over Vladivostok maritime police department where they are placed under detention", said the interviewee.
The criminal case was initiated on the basis of clause 158 of RF Criminal Code (stealing of property).
"One detainee has already written acknowledgement of guilt", noted PF spokesman.
He explained that the technique of undersea cable chasers is very simple. First they watch activities of cable-laying vessels. Having arrived at the site, they pull up the cable with ordinary facilities (drags and windlass), cut small fragment and sail away on safe distance watching the area for several days. If nobody displays activity, they come again and pull out long piece of cable.
