US eco cops seek arrest of Hong Kong-based ex-Fleet Management officer

A HONG KONG-based Fleet Management company marine superintendent is a fugitive from US Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA) charges after failing to surrender on four ship pollution-related offences in the US.

Fleet Management managing director Kishore Rajvanshy told Hong Kong`s South China Morning Post that the company had resolved the matter separately with US authorities, having to pay a US$3 million fine following a guilty plea last September.


Faced with a maximum 25 year prison term, fugitive Premakumaran Krishnan, a Fleet Management marine superintendent at the time, is an Indian passport holder. The US Coast Guard in October 2009 charged him with obstruction, conspiracy and making false statements, after an inspection of the dry cargo bulk ship, the Lowlands Sumida.


Upon searching the vessel authorities found that the ship had been illegally discharging oily wastewater into the ocean. Mr Krishnan and his company were indicted by a federal grand jury in April last year.


Mr Rajvanshy said the official is receiving separate legal advice, which he could not comment any further on.