India, Feb. 24 -- Nearly three months after Customs officials in Odisha seized 22.2 kg of Cocaine from a bulk carrier owned by a Vietnamese shipping company at Paradip port, the Orissa high court has ordered its 'arrest' over the port's claims of berth hiring.

In an interim order, justice V Narasingh of Orissa high court ordered the arrest of bulk carrier MV Debi till Paradip International Cargo Terminal's admiralty suit involving maritime claim for recovery of dues of Rs.7.95 crore towards berth hire and penalty is disposed of. "The vessel MV Debi be arrested at Paradip port. Prima facie maritime claim in terms of Section 4(1)(n) read with Section 9(1)(d) of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Claims) Act, 2017 will be rendered infructuous ...