KOCHI: Police have got more evidence on trafficking of humans via Munambam harbour near Kochi. They got the information that a 41-member team from Delhi arrived at Cherai beach recently and stayed in different hotels.

The first clue was obtained after the bags discarded by the team in order to avoid overloading of the boats came to the notice of the police. The coast guard has also started the search. Among the team that left the beach by boats after collecting cold drinks and medicines, there were four pregnant women and new-born babies.

The pile of discarded bags were found in a desolate land next to the boat jetty near Munambam harbour. This was first spotted by locals, who informed the police.

On examining the bags, police found dry fruits, water bottles, clothes, photos, Delhi-Kochi flight tickets and children’s toys. Some among the team had reached Kochi from Delhi by flight. The police found out that boats had left the harbour on Saturday after tanking up with large quantities of fuel. These boats belonged to a Tamil Nadu native. The boats starting from the harbour usually reached Australia after 27 days.

The above Delhi natives were found to have reached Chennai on December 22. More people were included in the team from Chennai and they reached Cherai beach on January 5.

According to the police, from December 22 to January 11, they stayed in six hotels near the beach. They checked out on January 12.
Police have got more information from their discarded bags. The police are currently questioning the boat sellers and brokers. The Coast Guard has also started the search. The Intelligence too has chipped in.

In 2015, the police had arrested 14 persons in a similar incident.