Lima: A gang of criminals known as "the pirates of the sea" have raided a Japanese tuna trawler off the central Peruvian coast, the office of the port of Callao harbour master has said.
The criminals boarded the 'Kenyu Maru II' before dawn and surprised the 15-person crew, the office said in a statement.
The gang of some 20 criminals tied the crew's hands and feet, then took off with their money, cell phones and the ship's communication equipment.
The Japanese ship was anchored some five kilometres (three miles) from the port of Callao, Peru's main port and part of the metropolis that includes the capital Lima.
The criminals reached the ship aboard two rowboats, the statement said.
Port officials say it is the second time this year that a foreign ship was assaulted by criminals off the port of Callao.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, March 07, 2011, 09:17