The two were arrested on Thursday by directorate of revenue intelligence, Gandhidham, and are now lodged in the local central jai. Indian law allows them bail, but nobody has applied for it -- neither the ship's other crew nor it Kandla-based handling agent, ACT.

The ship's crew of 42 seems helpless. They continue to be ``free men'' aboard the seized ship. However, when asked why his company had not sought bail for the captain and chief officer, ACT director Harshad Gandhi only said, ``We do not come into the picture.'' Sources said nobody wants to seek bail for them for fear of looking unpatriotic.

The captain and chief officer share a cell with other inmates at the jail. They are given rice, which is the Koreans' staple food. Jail sources said that the two Koreans have no complaints.

Kandla Customs is tight-lipped about the next move. ``Everything is to be announced by higher authorities in Delhi,'' a senior officer said.

Sources said the ship could be released if its owner deposited half the ship's value -- some Rs 3 crore -- but the consignment wouldn't be released till the investigation is completed.

The captain and chief officer had pleaded ignorance of their cargo and denied that the next destination of the ship was Karachi. But sources in Customs said they are convinced that is not so.

Meanwhile, Customs have allowed the port authorities to berth elsewhere, as it is hindering traffic. At present the ship is berthed in Cargo Berth No 5-A. Kandla Port's traffic manager Datta Raju on Monday evening said that the port's pilot would have to navigate it and move it to a new berth as the ship's captain and chief officer are in custody.